Utah’s dangerous radon levels

Greater than 40% of Utah properties have harmful ranges of radon, in keeping with a latest report from the American Lung Affiliation.

Why it issues: Radon is a number one reason behind lung most cancers in america, second solely to smoking — and the No. 1 reason behind lung most cancers amongst nonsmokers, per the EPA.

Particulars: It emanates from rock and soil as parts like uranium naturally decay.

• Which means basements and floor flooring of properties have a tendency to gather the odorless, tasteless, radioactive fuel.

By the numbers: The American Lung Affiliation’s evaluation of the newest 10-year knowledge from the CDC — 2008-2017 — reveals 41% of Utah properties which have gone with out mitigation noticed radon ranges larger than the EPA’s security cutoff.

• Solely 10 states had larger charges of harmful radon ranges in properties throughout that interval.

Zoom in: The best charges are in Emery, Morgan and Field Elder counties, the place a minimum of 60% of properties with out mitigation had hazardous ranges, latest CDC knowledge for Utah reveals.

• Over 35% of Salt Lake County properties had harmful pre-mitigation ranges in 2021.

Between the traces: Radon largely comes from uranium, so properties in areas with quite a lot of the chemical factor within the soil have a better probability of dangerous radon ranges, in keeping with the U.S. Geological Survey.

• Sure, however: How a constructing was constructed additionally issues, and houses in the identical neighborhood can have drastically completely different radon ranges.

Be sensible: As a result of ranges range, the easiest way to verify your own home is secure is to get a radon check.

• Checks kits often are left in place for 2 to 4 days, and outcomes take a few weeks.

The way it works: In case your outcomes are larger than 4 picocuries per liter, rent a mitigation skilled to repair the issue — often by putting in a vent pipe and fan to attract radon from beneath the home, per the CDC.

• The price is round $2,000, in keeping with state environmental regulators, although Utah Radon Companies estimates $1,400 to $1,700 for many properties.
• In case your radon ranges are beneath 4, the CDC nonetheless recommends sealing cracks in your flooring and partitions and enhancing air flow.

Erin’s thought bubble: My household received our mitigation system this weekend.

• Our check outcome was 3.9, however I write this text from our basement, the place we additionally watch TV and often sleep.
• It price about $1,300 with a referral low cost from our neighbor.