Utah Radon Control

Protecting Your Health and Environment

What is Radon Gas?

Radon gas is a radioactive gas that forms naturally from the decay of uranium, which is found in soil, rock, and water. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, so you cannot detect it without testing. Outdoors, radon is typically harmless because it disperses into the air. However, indoors, it can accumulate and reach dangerous levels.

What Are the Dangers of Radon Gas?

Long-term exposure to radon gas can be hazardous to human health. The primary risks include:

Lung Cancer: Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. When radon is inhaled, radioactive particles can damage the lining of the lungs, increasing the risk of cancer over time.
Cumulative Health Effects: Prolonged exposure, even at moderate levels, increases the likelihood of harmful effects, particularly for smokers or those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

The risk depends on the concentration of radon in your home, measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends taking action if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

How Does Radon Gas Get Into Your Home?

Radon gas moves from the ground into your home through:

Cracks in the Foundation – Small cracks in concrete or walls provide an easy entry point.
Construction Joints – Spaces where walls meet floors can allow radon to seep in.
Gaps Around Pipes and Utility Lines – Radon can enter through openings for plumbing, wiring, or ductwork.
Basements and Crawl Spaces – Homes with basements or built directly on soil are more prone to radon exposure since they are closer to the source.
Well Water – In some cases, radon can dissolve in groundwater and be released into the air when the water is used.

Why Some Homes Have More Radon

The amount of radon varies depending on:

The uranium content in the soil and rock beneath the home.
The construction of the house and its ventilation.
Weather conditions, as factors like wind, temperature, and pressure can influence radon levels.

Testing for radon is the only way to know if it’s present at dangerous levels in your home. If levels are high, mitigation systems, like ventilation and sealing cracks, can be installed to reduce the radon concentration.

How to Stay Safe

To protect yourself and your family:

Test for Radon: Use a radon test kit or hire a professional to measure levels in your home.
Install a Mitigation System: If levels are high, systems like sub-slab depressurization can reduce radon exposure.
Seal Cracks and Openings: This reduces the entry points for radon gas.