Radon Gas May Cause Some Lung Cancer In Rich County Area

Bob Stevens, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

 

RANDOLPH, Utah.  April 1, 2015. Jill Parker, Bear River Health Department,  reported on the annual meeting of the Bear River Health Department.  She also shared their annual report for 2014.  She reported that Radon has become quite a hot topic in the Bear River Health Department area due to research on lung cancer.  Their website shows the level typical in various Counties, including Rich.  They have Radon test kits available that can be purchased from their website for $8.  That includes the cost of the kit and the analysis. 

 

They are seeing levels of concern in some areas, but the only way of determining the presence of Radon is to use a kit to measure the level.  Those interested in learning more can go to their web site at http://www.brhd.org/servicesplaceholder/environmental-health/183-radon.html or call them at 435-792-6578.

 

From the Bear River Health Department Website: 

• Many lung cancer victims never smoked tobacco products and were never around secondhand smoke. Their lung cancers have been scientifically proven to have originated from radon gas exposure. Radon is odorless and colorless. It is estimated that   21,000 people die each year in the U.S. from lung cancer caused by radon. Radon induced lung cancer is highly preventable.  

• Radon gas is present throughout the U.S. Radon comes from the natural radioactive decay of uranium. It is estimated that the top 6 feet of soil for an average acre of land contains about 50 lbs. of uranium. Radon gas enters homes and radioactively decays creating radon decay products (RDPs). RDPs are carried by dust, cigarette smoke ,etc. deep into our lungs where they emit alpha particles (a type of radiation) that damage our DNA causing lung cancer.

• Radon gas enters homes through tiny (hair-like) pores in concrete slabs and basement walls. As air

tends to rise in homes (especially in the winter-time). This air movement (chimney-effect) draws radon into homes.  When the outside ground is frozen, has a snow-cover or is saturated with water, a “lid” is created over the ground outside so radon more easily enters our homes. Wintertime radon gas levels measured in homes are often double summertime levels.  

• Radon gas is very common within areas of the BRHD’s jurisdiction. US EPA recommends corrective action when radon gas (year-‐round average) measures at or above 4pCi/L . Many homes in Box Elder, Cache and Rich counties have tested much higher than 4pCi/L. The % of homes over 4pCi/L (as of July 2014 for people who used Utah DEQ radon test kits) are: Box Elder 58.5%, Cache 51.0% and Rich  52.0%). 

• Homes next door to each other can have very different levels of radon (due to differing geology beneath every home). Testing of bare ground for radon before building a home is impossible. Everyone needs to test for radon gas in existing homes.  Testing is the only way to know if dangerous levels of radon are present. 

• BRHD is now selling Utah discounted $8 (BRHD’s cost) easy-to –use short-term radon test kits at BRHD offices: Logan (655 E. 1300 N.);  North Logan (85 E. 1800 N.); Brigham City (992 S. 88 W.); Tremonton (440 W. 600 N.) and Randolph (275 N. Main Street). These (and other radon kits) may also be ordered online through the Utah DEQ radon website: www.radon.utah.gov.