By Margaret Henderson
Using a web-based tool, Colorado Environmental Public Health Tracking monitors the health and environment of the community over time, presenting health and environmental data, including radon levels statewide. Visit http://www.coepht.dphe.state.co.us/#
Colorado’s Tracking program is part of the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network, created in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to make data on environmental hazards, human exposure to those hazards and health effects easier to find and use.
By incorporating radon data into the tracking portal, it is currently possible to view two summations:
- Mean indoor radon values (pCi/L) by county
- Percent of radon tests above 4 pCi/L by county
Results are presented by map or satellite display. The tracking portal does not establish exact radon metrics across the state but does provide a snapshot of radon hazards across the state, including the occurrence of radon levels well in excess of the EPA action limit of 4pCi/L.
For Ouray County, for example, the following information is presented:
County FIPS code: 91
Average (mean) result: 8.46
Highest (max) result: 120.7
Lowest (min) result: 0
Total number of samples: 320
Number of tests over 4 pCi/L: 188
Percent of tests over 4 pCi/L: 58.75
County name: OURAY
Caveats in using the system pertain to radon data. The portal explains that radon testing is not required in Colorado, so the information available is limited. There are two sources of information used. One provides information from indoor radon tests that are conducted by homeowners. The other is Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from an ongoing national telephone survey sponsored by CDC. In 2009, questions on radon were included in what Colorado residents reported. Other limitations of the data are discussed on the portal.
For more information about radon in Colorado and the tracking portal, contact:
Chrystine (Chrys) Kelley, Radon Program Manager
Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Dr. S., Denver, CO 80246
Phone: 303-692-3442
Fax: 303-691-7841
Website: http://www.coloradoradon.info
United States