Radon awareness advocacy group pleads for Utahns to test their homes.

Radon awareness advocacy group pleads for Utahns to test their homes.

NEWS EXCERPT: KSL.com, 03/07/2024, Conservatively, 1 in 3 homes in Utah has dangerous levels of radon, a radioactive gas that causes lung cancer. According to Dr. Wallace Akerley, a medical oncologist at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in Utah.

"Every Utah resident should know that radon is radioactive. It's a cause of cancer. You can't see it, you can't smell it, you can't feel it, but it's there in every house to some degree," Akerley said. "If you don't test, you don't know if you have a dangerous house or not." ... Even if you have tested your home in the past, leading health organizations recommend testing your home for radon every two years. Radon levels are higher in the winter, so if you're due for a radon test, it's best to test now.

OUR TAKE: This article underscores the urgency for residents in Utah who may have been exposed to high levels of radon. Even skeptics of radon gas often become concerned when they discover the levels present in their homes.

Important to note, too, that radon gas resides in many, many geographic areas across North America and in concentrations equal to or greater than the Utah-focused article describes. A member of our publishing team who holds certification from the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) for advanced computerized radon level assessment and reporting has witnessed various reactions from homeowners, particularly during home sales, upon learning their radon test results. For instance, one homeowner was devastated when their home, where their children had played for years, tested at over five times the EPA's recommended action level for radon mitigation.

What's even more concerning is that radon levels fluctuate throughout the year, meaning current test results, especially if elevated, may not be indicative of long-term exposure. Radon levels typically rise during colder, wetter periods due to lower air pressure near the ground surface, which releases radon gas trapped beneath the soil.

To address radon entry into homes, passive techniques are utilized, even alongside active mitigation systems. While radon cannot be entirely eradicated, its effects can be mitigated effectively and affordably. Interested individuals in the U.S. can visit https://nrpp.info/consumers/ to find a certified measurement professional in your area. Read full article.