How big a deal is Radon in Boulder Colorado?

[Aardvark]

We just moved into an apartment that has two levels. The floor of the lower level is about 3ft below ground level. This is quite nice for insulation, but I recently found out that parts of Colorado have a Radon issue in basements. I've been googling quite a bit but can't find a good reliable source that tells me any of the following:

1 - what are the chances that we have significant Radon? I would expect this to be mappable, but can find no such map
2 - What's the best way to measure? Some people say I should get a contractor, some say that I should buy a monitor and measure it over time
3 - The real question: How big a deal is Rayon really if we only stay in this place for 1 or two years? Stories of people living in a basement for 10 years is one thing, but we are unlikely to renew our lease more than once. In other parts of this forum @Papa bear has said that "radon issues are such bologna" and @Prairie Stash said that it's really a bigger deal than that and that mitigation is easy and sensible. Given that I am renting mitigation doesn't seem sensible, I don't expect my landlord to happily cough up the money for a mitigation system. So I don't want to unnecessarily panic and go through all this effort if it's not worth it for a two year rental.

EDIT to add: Having read up a bit more, I think It's worth noting that our bedroom as well as my wife's office is on the lower level of the apartment (floor about 3ft below ground level). So she spends the majority of every day on that level. Is this a "oh shit" moment, or a "put some extra effort into cracking a window and venting the place once a day" moment?

Any insights, links, or direct advice about next steps would be great!

[YttriumNitrate]

Well, according to the CDC, radon is particularly bad for people who also smoke so your circumstances should dictate how much you should be concerned.
https://www.epa.gov/radon/health-risk-radon

[Paper Chaser]

You need data before you can know if it's a big deal or not. Nobody can tell you without knowing how much (if any) radon is actually there. Also keep in mind that radon levels vary with time and seasonal changes.

I do think it's serious enough to warrant trying to get some data for what exactly is/isn't in the air you're breathing.

[Omy]

Radon tests are relatively inexpensive. I would test and make your decision after you have results.

[uniwelder]

A contractor isn’t justified for measuring radon. Just buy a kit and follow the directions. I think it needs to sit undisturbed for 24-48 hours, without the door opening/closing, so you both should be away for the weekend perhaps.  Radon is prevalent where I live and radon testing is almost always part of the contract in a home sale. For that reason, a contractor is used, but I don’t see why you would pay for that if it’s just for your own knowledge.

[GilesMM]

All of Colorado has high natural radon.  However, for a two-year stay I would not worry about it.  Radon exposure needs to be really high for many years to cause a problem.  The CDC upper limit is super conservative and intended for a person with lung issues living in a basement for 70 years.  If you spend the money on a test (during winter, with all windows closed), it will likely show some radon and maybe even an elevated reading like 10 or 20.  That is still not enough to take any action.

[Omy]

I don't live in Colorado, but we have readings over 100 in some areas. I know a gentleman who died of lung cancer possibly caused by the high levels of radon in his house (never smoked and hadn't been exposed to other toxic chemicals according to his family). He worked from home in his basement for years.

I would test for peace of mind. My basement was over 20 pc/l so we added a radon mitigation system. Anything over 4 pc/l should be remediated (but I wouldn't be overly concerned if it was slightly higher than that). I'd look for another place if its significantly higher and the landlord won't remediate.
 

[therethere]

We had high Radon and actually got our landlord to remediate it. I was driven to test after our pet died unexpectedly and then reading about very high levels in Colorado. Not sure if the two were actually related, but pets are much closer to the ground and radon is transferred by inhalation.

[Just_Me]

I live in Colorado and mitigated for radon in our single story house when we bought it. Radon, like any carcinogen, has a chance to cause cancer based on your exposure to it and its dose levels, as well as your age and lots of other stuff. Mitigation, not elimination, reduces those levels which decrease the probability of you contracting cancer. So, typically, there is no "safe" level but that can be said for air particulates etc.

 For adults who are renting the space, you'll have to decide if an issue that you'll have to get somebody else to address likely halfway or more through that exposure period is worth the stress, which consequently, can bring its own set of issues. If you have small children I'd strongly suggest mitigation even if only for a year or two.

The only way to know is by testing. As others have mentioned a DIY test kit is simple and gives you data to at least start the conversation.

[GuitarStv]

If you're really concerned, while waiting for your test results just crack a window and use some fans to circulate air.  That's basically what professional radon mitigation involves - they stick a tube in your basement with a fan that sucks air out.

[Morning Glory]

We had high Radon and actually got our landlord to remediate it. I was driven to test after our pet died unexpectedly and then reading about very high levels in Colorado. Not sure if the two were actually related, but pets are much closer to the ground and radon is transferred by inhalation.

+1
I suggest doing the testing yourself but then trying to get your landlord to pay for a remediation system if needed. We had a radon mitigation system installed in Minnesota and it wasn't that expensive (around $600 in 2013). Your landlord can deduct the expense and also use it as a selling point for future renters.

[Papa bear]

Old comments coming back from the grave to bite me haha.  Sounds like you are in a different situation than the one I had been ranting about.  Most people don’t live in their basements or have the other risks that warrant the fear that mitigation companies are hawking.

Other posters here have given good advice.  Crack a window and get fresh air.  Given that it’s a rental, I would also try to get your landlord to pay for a test.  But my wild ass guess is that your levels in the house aren’t outrageous.   You have a finished floor that prevents most of the air flow and the unit is probably leaky enough that when you have a negative pressure inside when using an exhaust fan, etc. that you’re most likely pulling in fresh air from outside and not soil gas.  Now, if there are penetrations through the floor that aren’t sealed or built well, you could have some there.

That said, won’t hurt to get a test, and if levels in the home are elevated, and you have other lung risks like smoking, then do more to mitigate your radon. Like sleeping upstairs, keep windows cracked, or try to get your landlord to pay for mitigation.


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