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. Indoor Air Quality concerns  can be especially difficult for a tenant where the landlord may be unwilling to make requested repairs.

Radon

Summit County has high levels of naturally occurring radon, a radioactive gas that can enter buildings through the soil. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.  

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

 Free radon test kits are available at our office. Stop by today to get one, so that you can determine radon levels in your home.

Testing instructions are simple and easy.

There may be financial assistance to help lower radon in your home.  Visit the Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment to find out more.

Radon Level Comparison Chart

Concentration
Corresponding Level
0.4 pCi/L 
Average outdoor radon level in U.S.
1.3 pCi/L
Average indoor radon level in U.S.
4.0 pCi/L 
EPA recommends mitigation in homes with this level of radon or higher
10 pCi/L 
Average radon level in Summit County homes


Check out the list of licensed radon-mitigation contractors who work in Summit County.

Watch the video below for tips on selecting a radon-mitigation contractor and to learn about residential radon-mitigation systems, including cost and effectiveness. 

Mold

Mold naturally exists both indoors and outdoors. In general, mold is beneficial to the environment and does not cause problems for humans. When there is excessive moisture in a home or business (leaking room or plumbing) mold can grow to levels that can produce fungal allergy and respiratory infections or worsen certain illnesses, such as asthma, for the occupants. 

Mold can be eliminated by first removing the source of moisture and then disinfecting the surface to kill the mold. Check out these cleanup guidelines for mold from the EPA.

View this interactive Mold House Tour.

The Environmental Health Department receives many calls per year regarding mold in rental properties. Unfortunately the department has no jurisdiction in residential homes or apartments. You may want to seek legal advice for renters in these cases.

Asbestos

 Asbestos is a known carcinogen. As the fibers become airborne they can be breathed into the lungs where they cause cancer. It is important to consider this prior to initiating any construction activities in your home where asbestos fibers may be disturbed. For the protection of occupants, federal and state regulations require testing and mitigation prior to initiating construction activities where the asbestos fibers may be disturbed. If you are doing building renovation or demolition be sure to read these state & federal guidelines.

Meth Contamination Cleanup

Illegal methamphetamine home laboratories (meth labs) have been a problem throughout Colorado. Meth production contaminates surfaces, drains, ventilation systems and furnishings with hazardous chemicals. Residual toxins may pose health threats to persons exposed to the meth lab environment and to discarded materials.

Meth Lab

In the past, the majority of illegal meth labs were reported by law enforcement following busts. In recent years, meth labs have been increasingly reported during real estate transactions either by a potential home buyer, seller or real estate agent.

In 2009, Senate Bill 09-060 (PDF) was enacted to expand the definition of illegal drug laboratory. As a result more properties are being reported.

The Colorado Regulations pertaining to the cleanup of methamphetamine labs (CCR 1014-3) have been revised with an effective date of December 14, 2014. Individuals and companies involved in meth lab assessment, sampling, and decontamination are now required to attend and complete approved training and certification requirements.

Certified contractors performing cleanup activities must be properly trained. Post-cleanup sample results must meet the state cleanup standard of less than or equal to 0.5 ug/100cm². A final clearance sampling is conducted by a Certified Industrial Hygienist and results are provided to Summit County Environmental Health Department prior to allowing re-occupancy.

Resources  

Other Indoor Air Quality Concerns

Marijuana-use resources below to better secure and protect individuals from marijuana in the home.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Your Home