Utah is a hot bed for Radon Gas! If you've never had your home tested for Radon it can be as low as $10.95. No need to panic but make sure you are aware and understand the urgency to make sure you are safe in your home. I was very surprised to learn that there are so many homes in Utah that test above safe Radon levels and should consider mitigation.
What is Radon?
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.
Why is it important to test for?
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.
Radon In Utah.
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.
Testing for Radon?
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.
When to test for Radon?
When buying a home, when you lease a home, or if the dirt around the home has been disturbed.
When you are purchasing a home it's important to know what levels are existing in the home and if you need to have any mitigation efforts completed prior to moving in.
Leasing or renting a home is the same challenge. Know what the levels are in the home before exposure.
If the dirt around the home has been disturbed, more than just planting flowers or gardening, it could be worth it to test as the disturbance of the dirt could have created or exposed pathways for Radon gas to enter your home. Sometimes this could even be caused by dirt being disturbed across the street.
How do you mitigate Radon gas in the home?
Radon levels that are recommended to consider mitigation is readings of 2.5-4 picocuries, generally readings above 4 picocuries it's strongly recommended to mitigate.
Only hire a Certified Radon Professional to ensure the proper steps are taken - https://certifiedradonpros.org/ut.html
Usually Radon mitigation consists of an air pump that pulls air from under the concrete of the home and puts it outside. Average pricing for Radon mitigation is around $1500 depending on the home and work involved. Grants may be available through the Utah Radon Program - See Contact Details Below.
Resources
Order Radon Test Kits, As low as $10.95 as of 4/2024 - https://aelabs.com/collections/utah
For more information about radon testing or the Utah Radon program, please contact: Eleanor Divver. Email: edivver@utah.gov Call: 801-536-0091
Message me with further questions!
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