Press Release: Radon Awareness Rises in Colorado During National Radon Action Month
DENVER – As National Radon Action Month unfolds, Coloradans are becoming increasingly aware of the hidden dangers posed by radon, a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that can infiltrate homes and buildings.
One poignant story comes from Greenwood Village resident Heidi Nafman-Onda. Diagnosed with stage 3A lung cancer in 2018, Nafman-Onda’s revelation about her illness was particularly alarming; she had no respiratory symptoms at the time. After encouragement from her son, her family discovered that their home’s radon levels were twice the action threshold recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Following treatment with immune therapy, she has been cancer-free since 2020.
In response to her personal experience, Nafman-Onda along with her husband, Dr. Pierre Onda, founded the White Ribbon Project, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about lung cancer and changing public perceptions surrounding the disease.
The statistics surrounding radon in Colorado are concerning, with more than half of the state’s homes recording levels above the EPA’s action level. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) estimates that radon is linked to approximately 500 lung cancer deaths in the state annually.
Homeowners are urged to take action by obtaining free radon tests for their residences. For those facing high levels of radon, financial assistance options are available to help with mitigation.
As the community rallies together to combat this silent health threat, Denver7 remains committed to fostering positive change and raising awareness about radon’s dangers in Colorado.