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The release of the largest dataset of Utah radon test results shows the deadly gas is even more common in Utah homes than previously understood.
The most extensive radon testing data ever released in Utah
In conjunction with National Radon Action Month (January), Alpha Energy Laboratories (AEL) released the most comprehensive Utah radon dataset in history. Based in Texas, AEL is the largest independent radon lab in the western United States.
To understand the data's findings, it's helpful to first understand that radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, radioactive gas that results from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks. According to the Utah Geological Survey, Utah is the third-largest uranium-producing state in the United States. The rich uranium deposits are a concern because radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers (and the second leading cause among smokers) and claims the lives of an estimated 21,000 Americans every year.
While no radon level is considered safe, the outside air does not pose a threat as the concentration is very low; however, radon inside homes can concentrate and pose a serious threat. The only way to detect radon is to test for it. Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). The national average for outside air is 0.4 pCi/L, and for indoor air, it is 1.3 pCi/L.
According to the new data, Utah's indoor average radon level is 4.5 pCi/L, about three and a half times higher than the national average. This level has the equivalent lung cancer risk as smoking nine cigarettes a day or having 225 X-rays per year.
49% of the over 73,000 radon tests conducted had radon levels at or above the World Health Organization's threshold for mitigation.
–UtahRadon.org
Installing a radon mitigation system can permanently reduce radon levels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends "considering mitigation" at 2.0 pCi/L and definitely mitigating at 4.0 pCi/L, while the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends mitigating at 2.7 pCi/L.
Key findings
Perhaps the most distressing finding from the over 73,000 radon test results analyzed over eight years is that 49% of the homes tested had radon levels at or above the WHO's established threshold they consider dangerous and recommend installing a radon mitigation system.
In areas like Farr West, Eden, Wasatch County, and Cache County, it's not uncommon to see average radon levels over 7.0 pCi/L and upwards of 24.0 pCi/L.
Top 5 counties with the highest average radon levels (with 500+ test results)
- Wasatch (7.9 pCi/L)
- Cache (7.9 pCi/L)
- Box Elder (7.8 pCi/L)
- Morgan (6.8 pCi/L)
- Tooele (5.7 pCi/L)
Top 10 ZIPs with the highest average radon levels (with 500+ test results)
- 84302 - Brigham City (8.2 pCi/L)
- 84032 - Heber City (8.2 pCi/L)
- 84404 - Ogden (7.6 pCi/L)
- 84014 - Clearfield (6.8 pCi/L)
- 84050 - Kaysville (6.8 pCi/L)
- 84414 - South Ogden (6.7 pCi/L)
- 84653 - Salem (6.7 pCi/L)
- 84321 - Hyrum (6.2 pCi/L)
- 84093 - Sandy (6.1 pCi/L)
- 84025 - Farmington (6.1 pCi/L)
Top 25 cities with the highest average radon levels (with 100+ test results)
- Farr West (24.7 pCi/L)
- Millville (16.3 pCi/L)
- Wellsville (11.4 pCi/L)
- Willard (10.3 pCi/L)
- Eden (9.2 pCi/L)
- Nibley (9.1 pCi/L)
- Perry (9.0 pCi/L)
- Hyde Park (8.7 pCi/L)
- Hyrum (8.7 pCi/L)
- Heber City (8.1 pCi/L)
- Midway (8.1 pCi/L)
- Brigham City (7.9 pCi/L)
- Smithfield (7.9 pCi/L)
- North Ogden (7.8 pCi/L)
- Providence (7.8 pCi/L)
- Grantsville (7.4 pCi/L)
- Elk Ridge (7.1 pCi/L)
- Morgan (6.9 pCi/L)
- West Bountiful (6.9 pCi/L)
- Centerville (6.8 pCi/L)
- Salem (6.7 pCi/L)
- Santaquin (6.6 pCi/L)
- North Logan (6.5 pCi/L
- Farmington (6.1 pCi/L)
- Lindon (6.1 pCi/L)
Take action to protect yourself and your family
Even if your city's average radon level isn't excessively high, you may still be at risk. Radon levels can vary from house to house and throughout the seasons, so your neighbor having a low radon level doesn't mean you will, too.
If you haven't tested your home for radon
With about a 50% chance of your home having dangerous radon levels, testing is critical.
The EPA, WHO, U.S. Surgeon General and a dozen other health and environmental agencies strongly encourage every homeowner to test for radon.
The good news is you can test for radon and get a mitigation system if your radon level is high. UtahRadon.org is currently offering one free radon test kit per household.
If you have tested your home
If your home tested low for radon, the EPA recommends retesting every two years. Keep in mind the AEL data shows radon levels are 75% higher on average when the average outdoor temperature is below 70 degrees, so it's important to test your home in the winter if you last tested in the summer.
If your home tested high for radon and you haven't had your home mitigated, consider having one installed.
All Utah residents can receive one free radon test by visiting UtahRadon.org.
