Radon in Colorado Schools: What Every Parent Should Know

While the EPA doesn’t require schools to undergo radon testing and inspection, and most states do not find it necessary either, the radon levels in Colorado are high enough to warrant such a precaution.

The Consumer Protection Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment adopted this policy in 1991 under regulation 6 CCR 1010-6, (10-102). Now, new and remodeled schools must perform radon gas testing within the first 19 months of occupancy. A school must also inform the CDPHE if there is a plan for it to be remodeled in order to determine whether additional radon testing is necessary; however, the schools are not required to report the findings to teachers or parents. There is also no authority for the schools to hire radon mitigation and abatement services.

Before you start panicking, read on. While Coloradans should be rightfully concerned about the possibility of radon poisoning, it is nothing to panic over. Here’s what all parents should know about radon gas testing in schools:

1. Requiring schools to test for excess radon levels gives administrators the necessary data in order to make informed decisions regarding abatement and mitigation services. While it is not required by law, most schools will hire a local radon mitigation company in order to fix the problem and prevent future ones. Most schools truly do have their students’ and teachers’ best interests at heart.
2. If you are concerned about radon in your child’s school, talk to your local school board about the testing used to address the issue, if there is any at all. Local officials are usually more than pleased to see active parent involvement and concern.
3. Remember that students spend only a fraction of their day in schools. For the majority of the day, they are at home, where they are far more likely to contract radon poisoning, comparatively. The EPA reported that one in three home across seven states and three Native American territories were found to have radon levels over 4 pCi/L, the EPA’s threshold for recommending immediate action. If you’re worried about exposure to this potentially deadly gas, begin with residential radon gas testing.

Affordable Radon serves Aurora, Denver, and the surrounding areas. Make sure that your home and schools are below the EPA’s actionable level by calling us today.