San Francisco, CA, July 20, 2026 — San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) is now offering free radon detectors for checkout, empowering residents to test their homes for this invisible, odorless and tasteless radioactive gas. Made possible through a partnership with the California Department of Public Health Indoor Radon Program, this initiative aims to increase awareness and reduce the health risks associated with radon exposure.  

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter any building, including homes, and is a leading cause of lung cancer. Since it cannot be detected by human senses, testing is the only way to know if a home has elevated levels. 

How the program works: 

• Radon detectors can be checked out free of charge, just like a book with a library card. 
• They can be checked out for up to 21 days and placed on hold online. 
• Available at all locations, first-come, first-served. 
• Once testing is completed, devices must be returned to any SFPL location or book drop. 

If a radon detector indicates a high radon level, residents should contact the California Department of Public Health Indoor Radon Program for a list of qualified providers who can conduct additional testing and recommend mitigation solutions.  

For those curious to learn more about how to use these devices, the Library welcomes Dale Parks, State Radon Officer and Senior Environmental Scientist at the California Department of Public Health Indoor Radon Program, to present a program “Radon and Your Health” on August 17 at the Main Library.  Parks will explain what radon is, why it is a health concern, and why testing is the only way to detect it. Attendees will learn how radon levels can vary from home to home, how to use and interpret Radon Cube readings and what steps to take if elevated levels are found, including mitigation options and typical costs.   

For more information about radon and the state's program, visit the California Department of Public Health Indoor Radon Program website at cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DRSEM/Pages/EMB/Radon/Radon.aspx. 

Learn more about the SFPL initiative: sfpl.org/radon-detectors-sfpl.