City of Aspen and Pitkin County to offer free radon test kits

The city of Aspen and Pitkin County are offering free radon test kits to residents in January as part of National Radon Action Month, aiming to address the risks posed by the radioactive gas found in many Colorado homes.

Residents can collect free test kits during business hours at two locations: City Hall’s community development office at 427 Rio Grande Place and the Pitkin County administrative building at 530 East Main Street, Suite 205.

“Testing is the only way to determine whether your home is at risk, and mitigation is both effective and affordable,” Bryan Daugherty, Pitkin County’s environmental health specialist, said in a news release.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that forms from the decay of uranium in rocks and soil, often seeping into homes through foundation cracks. Colorado’s geology makes homes particularly susceptible, with roughly half the residences in the state showing elevated radon levels — higher than the national average.

Each year, radon is linked to more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S., making it the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. When inhaled, radon’s radioactive particles can damage lung cells, increasing the risk of cancer.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for residents to take this important step in protecting their health and their families,” Natalie Tsevdos, Aspen’s environmental health administrator, said in the release. “Providing free test kits is part of our commitment to ensuring a safe and healthy community.”

More information can be found at aspen.gov.