One in Three Utah Homes Affected by Silent Killer
Utah is facing a silent, invisible health threat that puts its residents at risk. Shockingly, around one in three homes in Utah have alarmingly high levels of radioactive gas, known to cause lung cancer. What’s even more concerning is that a majority of Utahns remain unaware of this hazardous presence within their homes.
Understanding Radon Gas and its Origin
Radon, a radioactive gas, is naturally present in high concentrations due to Utah’s unique geography. The gas is formed when underground uranium decays, and as uranium is found throughout the state, radon becomes a pervasive presence.
While harmless when inhaled outdoors, radon gas can pose significant risks if it seeps into our homes and accumulates over time. Shocking statistics show that radon exposure leads to 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually. In Utah alone, conservative estimates suggest that 33% of tested homes have high radon levels, although some studies show numbers as high as 50%.
Why Radon is a Menace to Society
Radon-induced lung cancer is not restricted to smokers alone; it is, in fact, the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause in smokers. The good news is that this form of lung cancer is completely preventable.
Renowned medical oncologist, Dr. Wallace Akerley from the Huntsman Cancer Institute, stresses the urgency of addressing this issue. He states, “Most medical problems we encounter carry only a small chance of making a difference. However, with a significant one in three homes in Utah being at risk, taking action is absolutely crucial.”
One resident, Todd Smith, expresses the devastating impact of losing his wife to lung cancer at an early age. His personal tragedy fuels his advocacy to urge Utah residents to test their homes for radon. Reflecting on his experience, Smith emphatically states, “Radon gas is a threat we can eliminate through testing. If I had the chance, I would have done everything to prevent it. It’s absolutely worth it.”
Uncovering the Silence: Why Radon Awareness is Lacking
Radon awareness among the general public has sadly been extremely low. Eleanor Divver, Radon Project Coordinator at the Utah Department of Environmental Quality Receives numerous queries from lung cancer patients, who, in their fight against the disease, ask, “Why have we not been educated about radon? Why aren’t we informed about its ease of testing and fixing?”
While there’s no single answer to Divver’s question, the importance of testing homes for radon cannot be denied. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unequivocally supports regular testing every two years or after significant structural changes. Divver emphasizes, “Utah is a mining state with abundant uranium in its soil, making it imperative for us to test our homes.”
Divver often finds herself having heart-wrenching conversations with Utah residents diagnosed with non-smoking lung cancer due to radon exposure. She voices the devastating reality that could have been averted, saying, “It’s heartbreaking to tell cancer survivors and their loved ones that if they had simply tested their homes for radon, they could have protected themselves and their families from this tragic diagnosis.”
Taking Action: Protecting Your Loved Ones
Your first and most crucial step is to test your home for radon. Eleanor Divver suggests initiating the process with an activated charcoal test to assess the radon levels in your living space. You can conveniently get a
