Originally posted December 29, 2025 - Margaret Henderson
Nevada Announces New Statewide Radon Monitor Lending Program
By Chris Kelly, Nevada Radon Education Program, University of Nevada, Reno
Radon is an invisible, odorless gas and the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Because the only way to know if radon is in your home is to test, the Nevada Radon Education Program is excited to announce a new, statewide Radon Monitor Lending Program.
The idea for this program came after learning that several other states successfully loaned radon monitors to their residents. We reviewed their best practices and adapted them to meet Nevada’s unique needs. One of the biggest considerations was serving both urban and rural communities. That’s why we chose to purchase the Blue Echo digital radon monitor—a reliable device that does not require Wi-Fi access, making it ideal for homes in rural areas.
To ensure access across the state, five monitors will be sent to Extension offices in each of Nevada’s 17 counties. Residents can check out a monitor through their local office, much like borrowing a book. Devices may be borrowed for two weeks at a time, with staff available to provide simple instructions for use. No deposits, fees, or mailing are required, just pick up and return to the office.
In addition to county Extension offices, two new community partners have joined the lending program. The University of Nevada, Reno’s Dean’s Office, led by Jacob DeDecker, Extension Director and Associate Dean for Engagement for the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, will now serve as a pick-up site. This central campus location provides easy access for university students, faculty, and staff, as well as the wider Reno community. Another new location is the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department at Renown Medical Center in Reno, which directly connects the program to patients and families focused on lung health. By adding these trusted educational and healthcare partners, the lending program is expanding its reach into both academic and medical settings where awareness of radon’s health risks can have the greatest impact.
To make participation even easier, the Nevada Radon Education Program launched an interactive map on its website. This map will allow residents to quickly find the monitor pick-up location nearest them, whether that’s an Extension office, the UNR Dean’s Office, or Renown Medical Center. For the locations, see Nevada Radon Monitor Pick- up Locations https://extension.unr.edu/radon/test-kit-locations.aspx
Our hope is that this program makes radon testing more convenient, raises awareness about radon risks, and ultimately leads to more homes being mitigated. By reducing radon exposure, we can protect the health of Nevada families for years to come.
Reprinted with permission from the Nevada Radon Education Program quarterly newsletter.
Chris Kelly
Senior Program Coordinator
Nevada Radon Education Program
University of Nevada, Reno
4955 Energy Way Reno, NV 89502
Telephone: 775.336.0252
Chrisk@unr.edu
Website https://extension.unr.edu/radon
United States