Recent tests show 21 percent of Douglas homes have dangerous levels of radon gas
Recent Douglas County homeowner radon test results show 21 percent of the homes tested during that past few months have elevated levels of cancer causing radon gas. In fact, some test results show alarming numbers in the 60’s, which is 1,500 percent above the EPA’s action level of 4 PicoCuries per liter of air.
Radon is a gas found in all homes. Radon comes from the rocks and soil. The odorless, tasteless, invisible gas becomes a concern when the gas is trapped inside and the level rises to 4 pCi/L. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recommends mitigating or fixing the problem when test results show 4 or higher. However, the World Health Organization sets the action level number at 2.7.
The only way to know if your home has a high radon level is to test for it. You cannot rely on your neighbor’s results. Testing is easy and only takes a few days, results take a few weeks.
Chris Kelly, Program Manager for the University of Nevada, Reno’s Nevada Radon Education Program will be teaching a free radon education class designed specifically for those who live in the Minden, Gardnerville area.
The class will cover basic radon education, proper testing techniques, how to read test results, and resources for mitigation. The class will be held on March 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Minden CVIC Hall. Class attendees will receive a free radon test kit.
Radon test kits are available at Extension and partner locations, as well as at free presentations. Free test kits can be picked up while supplies last at the Extension Office in Douglas County Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, or call 775-782-9960 for more information.
The Nevada Radon Education Program is a program of University of Nevada, Reno Extension and is funded through Grant Number K1-98T37923 from the EPA. Since the program began in 2007, about 30,000 homes have been tested in Nevada.
— Christine Kelly is the University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Program Manager for the Nevada Radon Education Program. Extension is a unit of the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources engaged in Nevada communities, presenting research-based knowledge to address critical community needs. It is a county-state-federal partnership providing practical education to people, businesses and communities. For more information on its programs, visit extension.unr.edu.