Indoor Air Quality

There are a number of substances and issues that can lead to indoor air quality concerns, including radon, mold, asbestos, lead, second-hand smoke, carbon monoxide and meth labs. Below are a few common concerns and resources in San Miguel County:

  1. Radon
  2. Mold
  3. Other Indoor Air Quality Concerns

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You can't see, smell, or taste it, but it may be a problem in your home. Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year in the United States. Radon levels inside homes are the primary concern, because this is where people spend most of their time. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths than radon does. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. Learn more about radon from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Our office has a free radon monitor that anyone can borrow to test for radon. Email publichealth@sanmiguelcountyco.gov, to borrow the device and determine radon levels in your home. 

The EPA recommends mitigation in your home if radon levels are 4.0 pCi/L or higher. If radon levels are high in your home, there may be financial assistance to help mitigate the radon.  Click here to visit the Colorado Department. of Public Health & Environment to find out more.