Sydney Trainor
The University of Nevada, Reno’s Radon Education Program is offering free short-term radon test kits to Nevada residents in recognition of National Radon Action Month in January. The kits are available now through Feb. 28, while supplies last, and can be picked up at extension offices and partner locations statewide.
Chris Kelly, manager of the Nevada Radon Education Program, said the free kits are easy to use and require only three days of testing. Results are typically available a few weeks after the test is completed.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the ground and can accumulate in homes and buildings. The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that 21,000 Americans die each year from lung cancer due to radon, causing more deaths than secondhand smoke, drunk driving, and house fires. Kelly stated, “Lung cancer claims more lives each year than any other form of cancer, astonishingly impacting more women than breast cancer and posing a higher risk to Nevadans compared to the national average.”
However, this risk is 100% avoidable. Since the Nevada Radon Education Program began in 2007, more than 31,000 homes across the state have been tested for radon. Roughly 40 percent of homes in Northern Nevada are tested by a certified professional when they are sold. The EPA recommends radon testing for all homes.
According to Kelly, “To protect all Nevadans, there is a clear need for increased education and testing efforts, especially in southern Nevada. Current testing data shows that one in four homes tested in Nevada has elevated radon levels. Addressing this issue through expanded education and testing is critical to ensuring homeowner safety statewide.”
The Nevada Radon Education program has many resources in addition to these free kits. Their website also provides a list of certified radon professionals in Nevada.
For more information on radon, testing, and mitigation go to the Nevada Radon Education Program website.
For locations to pick up test kits, visit Extension offices and partner locations.
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