One in three Utah homes has high levels of radioactive gases that can cause lung cancer, but most Utahns don’t know it.
What is radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is highly prevalent in Utah due to the state’s geography. This gas is created when uranium in the ground decays, and uranium is present throughout the state.
It’s not dangerous to your lungs if you breathe it outdoors, but it can be dangerous if you’re stuck indoors and inhaling it for an extended period of time.
Exposure to radon is responsible for 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year and should not be taken lightly. A conservative estimate shows that 33% of homes tested in Utah have high radon levels, but some studies show that more than 50% of Utah homes have high radon levels. is showing.
why you should care
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in smokers. Additionally, radon-induced lung cancer is completely preventable.
“Most of what we do in medicine is always talking about small possibilities to make a difference. If you have a one in three chance of having a problem in your home today, that’s the thing to do. “It’s about something,” explained Dr. Wallace Ackerley, a medical oncologist at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Akerley’s medical advice is something Saratoga Springs resident Todd Smith wishes he had heard years ago. Smith never expected to say goodbye to his wife so soon. “Losing someone to a disease like lung cancer is devastating, but there are also things you can do to avoid it,” Smith said.
Since Rachel’s death, Todd has been encouraging Utah residents to test their homes for radon. “Things like radon gas can be avoided, and we can actually test for it. If we can go back, if we can prevent it, if we can do something, it’s worth it. Smith has a radon mitigation system installed in her home and encourages all Utah residents to take radon seriously.See more stories from Todd and Rachel here.
Why have I never heard of radon?
“Why don’t I know about radon?” is one of the most common questions non-smokers with lung cancer ask Eleanor Dever, radon project coordinator for the Utah Department of Environmental Quality. That’s one. “Why haven’t we done more to educate the public about what radon is and how easy it is to test and fix?”
The answer to Dever’s question isn’t easy, but one thing is certain: All Utahns should test their homes for radon. According to the EPA, it’s also important to test every two years or whenever major structural changes are made to your home. “Radon testing is essential in Utah,” Dever explained. “We’re a mining nation. There’s a lot of uranium in the soil. So we need to make sure we test our homes.”
It’s heartbreaking to hear loved ones and cancer survivors say, “Well, if I had tested for radon, I could have saved myself and my family from this lung cancer diagnosis.” That’s what I think.
–Eleanor Divver, Radon Project Coordinator, Utah Department of Environmental Quality
Divver explained that radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air, or pCi/L. For example, outside air averages 0.4 pCi/L. Although there is no safe radon level, most experts agree that outside air does not pose a significant health threat. Conversely, the average indoor radon level in Utah is 5.3 pCi/L. This level carries the same risk of lung cancer as smoking half a pack of cigarettes every day.
Because so many homes in Utah have dangerous radon levels, Dever often has difficult conversations with residents diagnosed with lung cancer who are nonsmokers. “It’s heartbreaking to have loved ones and cancer survivors say to you, yes, if you had tested for radon, you could have saved you and your family from this lung cancer diagnosis. that’s right.”
What you can do
The first and most important step is testing for radon. According to Divver, you should first run an activated charcoal test to check your home’s radon levels.can get 1 free test from Utaharadon.org, will be mailed directly to you. All shipping, kit, and lab fees are paid upfront, so you don’t have to worry about costs. After completing a quick test, you will receive results for your home within 7-14 days. If your home tests high, a radon mitigation system can be installed to reduce the amount of radon to safer levels.
Radon is dangerous to all Utahns, but you have a chance to take action now to protect yourself and your loved ones from radon-induced lung cancer. To obtain a free radon test kit, please visit: utaradon.org.
