Radon in the Home

Know the Risks and Prevention Tips

Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water and, as it breaks down, it gets into the air you breathe. Radon enters buildings through openings in the foundation floor or walls (sump openings, crawlspaces, floor/wall joints, cracks, etc.). Radon can become trapped in buildings, and thus, lead to elevated and harmful radon levels. Exposure to long-term, elevated radon levels can increase your risk of lung cancer.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says radon causes up to 15% of lung cancers worldwide. In an effort to reduce the rate of lung cancer around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched an international radon project to help countries increase awareness, collect data and encourage action to reduce radon-related risks. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and results in approximately 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year. In addition, radon in our homes is the main source of exposure to ionizing radiation, and accounts for 50% of the public’s exposure to naturally-occurring sources of radiation in many countries.

The best way to prevent radon poisoning and eliminate the risk of exposure is to test for radon in the home. Kits can be purchased locally and used to analyze the amount of radon present in your home’s air. Taking this slight precaution can prevent severe sickness and even death.

Radon Testing in Summit County

Protect your family by testing for radon in your home and help Summit County Health Department track high areas of radon in our community. Summit County Health Department offers radon testing kits for you to sample the air where you live. The cost for each kit is $10.00, which includes lab analysis. Radon test kits are available at the Park City Health Department office at 650 Round Valley Drive in Park City, at Quinn’s Junction.

For more information on Summit County radon testing visit:
http://www.summitcountyhealth.org/property-owners/indoor-air-quality/radon/