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Radon

Utah residents can order radon test kits by visiting the Utah Radon Program website: Utah Radon Program

If you have additional questions about radon in your home, please contact Mark Jones.
Email: markejones@utah.gov
Call: (801)-538-6191
Radon is a gas with no color, taste, or smell, and can only be detected through proper testing.
Radon comes from the breakdown of uranium in the soil, rock, and groundwater and can get into the air you breathe. Radon is radioactive. Radon can get into any type of building-homes, offices and schools. You and your family will most likely have your greatest exposure at home, where you spend most of your time.
In the United States, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates 21,000 deaths each year in the US are attributed to radon-related lung cancer. Long-term exposure to radon increases the risk for lung cancer, especially for people who smoke. The risk of lung cancer from radon is almost 10 times higher for smokers compared with those who have never smoked.
1 in 3 Utah homes, and in some areas 1 in 2, have radon levels that exceed what is considered safe for humans.
According to the EPA, every 10 picocuries of radon exposure is equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Picocuries are a trillionth of a curie, the unit used to measure radiation. The Utah Radon program reports the average radon level in Utah is 4.9 picocuries. It is important for every home to be tested because of the high levels present in Utah.
Everyone is potentially at risk of radon exposure.
Although certain factors increase the risk, radon exposure is found throughout the country. Homes with high levels of radon have been found in every state.

The chances of developing lung cancer are higher if:
  • Your home has elevated radon levels.
  • You smoke.
  • You burn wood, coal, or other substances that add particles to the indoor air.
A simple test will tell you if you need to take action to lower radon levels in your home.
You can purchase test kits from Utah's Radon program (radon.utah.gov). The test is inexpensive ($10.95) and easy. It takes only 48 to 96 hours to complete. Test kits can also be purchased at most hardware stores for about $40. During a real-estate transaction you will hire a certified measurement professional to test your home for $150.

For more information about radon testing or the Utah Radon program, please contact Eleanor Divver.
Email: edivver@utah.gov
Call: 801-536-0091

If you smoke, quit smoking to help reduce the risk for developing lung cancer.
The risk of lung cancer from radon exposure is estimated at between 10 to 20 times greater for individuals who also smoke cigarettes compared with those who have never smoked. Access the Tobacco Free Utah tobacco cessation resources here.

Policymakers and advocates can work toward enacting policies to protect citizens against radon exposure in the home.
Many states have policies and practices or recommendations in place to protect against radon exposure in the home. Those include:
  • A requirement for newly-built homes to be radon-resistant and a recommendation for homes to be tested before occupancy.
  • A tax credit for building a radon-resistant home.
  • State licensure creation to certify radon professionals for the installation of radon mitigation systems and radon testing.
  • Make sure homes have been tested for radon during real estate transactions.
  • A requirement that landlords test for radon, conduct mitigation if radon levels are above the action level, and provide radon information to renters.
  • Campaigns to increase public awareness and radon knowledge.

Program websites


Resources



Radon test results (median and maximum)


Utah radon geology (1993)


Buildings tested for radon



Radon data query - median and maximum levels


Count of radon tests


Percent of radon tests


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Utah Tracking receives data from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) Division of Radiation Control.

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The links listed below redirect you to health assessments that have been conducted in Utah that are relevant to radon. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services APPLETREE program evaluates and responds to environmental public health issues in Utah. For more information, please visit the Utah APPLETREE website.

The information provided above is from the Utah Department of Health's Center for Health Data IBIS-PH web site (http://epht.health.utah.gov). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Thu, 21 November 2024 7:33:11 from Utah Department of Health, Center for Health Data, Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health Web site: http://epht.health.utah.gov ".

Content updated: Wed, 26 Jun 2024 10:27:16 MDT