Frequently Asked Questions

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. The U.S. Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, next to smoking. Radon is estimated to cause 20,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.

Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can get into any type of building – homes, offices, and schools. You and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home, where you spend most of your time.

Because radon is a gas, it can get in where solids can’t. 

Common problems allowing radon to enter homes include:

• Cracks in solid floors
• Construction joints
• Cracks in walls
• Gaps in suspended floors
• Gaps around service pipes
• Cavities inside walls
• The water supply

You can’t smell, taste, or see radon. The only way to know if you have high levels of radon in your home is to test.

You can order an easy to use radon test kit at radon.utah.gov starting at $10.95 or from UtahRadon.org for free

The average outdoor level is 0.4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), while the average indoor level is 1.3 pCi/L. The average Utah home has 5.3 pCi/L. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action level is 4.0 pCi/L. Fix your home if the levels are above the 4.0 action level.

First, RELAX! Radon levels can be fixed inside every home. 

Radon levels can be reduced by installing a radon mitigation system. These systems vent radon from below your home into the air above to stop radon from concentrating inside. A certified radon technician can install a system quickly to keep you and your loved ones safe.

A hole is bored in the basement concrete slab and a suction pump exhausts the gases to the outside.

Radon mitigation systems can be installed to lower your radon level for about the same cost as other common home repairs – usually about $1,500.

In addition to venting radon, the mitigation system reduces asthma triggers, air particles, volatile organic compounds, and mold. Improving the indoor air quality in your home and creating a value added addition increases your home value.