By Lauren Shaw
Ranked 49th in the nation for smoking, Utah would logically be nearly lung cancer free.
But the moderate to high levels of the cancer-causing gas radon in Utah County puts even non-smokers at risk, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
A public meeting Wednesday night at the Provo City Library educated residents on how to protect themselves against radon-induced lung cancer as part of the state''s Radon Action Month efforts.
'In Utah, we worry more about non-smoking lung cancer ... And radon is the main cause of that,' said David Neville, state indoor radon coordinator.
Neville said inhalation of high concentrations of radon is equal to smoking eight cigarettes per day, and the higher the level is, the higher the cigarette equivalence.
Three out of 10 Utah residences carry dangerous levels of the carcinogen, Neville said. And because it can''t be seen, smelled or tasted, it goes largely undetected, causing approximately 21,000 deaths across the nation yearly, according to EPA data.
Provo residents John and Retha Amadio had never tested their home for radon and expressed concern over current statistics.
'I wasn''t aware that the level was as high as it is,' John Amadio said. 'I was a little surprised.'
As a gaseous byproduct of uranium emitted through soil, radon can''t be prevented from entering homes through cracks in walls and building foundations. But the level of concentration can be measured and mitigation systems installed to decrease the concentration, according to the EPA. And since radon testing and mitigation are simple, effective and fairly inexpensive; there''s no reason to live with the radiation.
'Every residence should be tested for radon,' Neville said.
Residents living at or above a second-story level may breathe easier, but lower levels put residents in danger.
'Radon''s a heavy gas - six times heavier than nitrogen and oxygen - so anything below the second or third level should be tested,' Neville said.
Test kits can be purchased for an average cost of $12 at most hardware stores. But for a $10 cost including lab analysis, local residents can purchase a kit from the division of Environmental Health at the Utah County Health and Justice Building on 151 S. University Ave., Suite 2600.
If test results are high, mitigation systems can be installed. These systems range from $800 to $1,400 and effectively reduce radon concentration to a safe level while increasing the overall air quality in the home, Neville said.
'Installing a radon mitigation system does more than just remove radon,' Neville said. 'It may remove other soil gases, volatile organic compounds, reduce mold and mildew concerns, reduce asthma triggers and help alleviate some respiratory ailments too.'
Despite the benefits and ease of testing and mitigation, the radon Web site shows data that Utah residents haven''t responded to the state''s past radon awareness and control efforts. Neville attributed this data to lack of interest.
'It''s unsexy,' Neville said, referring to the topic of radon.
For more information on radon levels, health risks and mitigation, visit radon.utah.gov.