Nevadans now have quicker access to test their homes for radon, a naturally occurring gas linked to lung cancer.
Nearly 26% of Nevada homes tested have radon levels at or above the Environmental Protection Agency’s action level, which is 4 pCi/L. Nationally, radon exposure is estimated to cause 21,000 deaths each year, making it the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
The University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Nevada Radon Education Program, which has offered disposable mail-in charcoal test kits since 2007 and tested more than 41,000 homes, has added electronic radon monitors for loan. Unlike mail-in kits, the electronic devices begin showing results within minutes.
“We’re really excited to have obtained these electronic monitors that people can just check out at our offices,” said Chris Kelly, manager of the program. “We just want people to test – that’s the bottom line. Lung cancer claims more lives each year than all other cancers combined, and we hope these new monitors can help us do something about that.”
The monitors are available for free, and results are not stored on the devices.
Locations include University Extension offices statewide, the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources on campus, and the Renown Health Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Reno.
Users are instructed to place monitors in open, commonly used living spaces with stable temperatures and avoid areas near windows, vents, or drafty spots. After about 10 minutes, the device will show an initial reading. A red dash indicates radon levels above the EPA threshold. Readings update every 10 minutes, and Extension recommends testing for about a week to verify consistent results.
If results exceed 4 pCi/L, people are encouraged to confirm with a mail-in test kit, which costs $15 through the end of the year and is free in January and February.
Those who have already used an electronic monitor and want to verify results can get the kit for free anytime. Mail-in kits are also available online.
