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Radon is an invisible gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. It can move through the ground and enter a home through small cracks and openings in the foundation. Because you cannot see or smell radon, testing is the only way to know your level.
Radon levels are not the same all year. Weather and home conditions can change how much radon gets pulled inside.
In winter, many homes in Utah are closed up to keep warm. Windows stay shut and fresh air does not move through the house as much. This can trap radon inside.
Winter can also create a stronger “stack effect.” Warm air rises and escapes through the top of the house. When that happens, the house can pull in air from below, including soil gas that may contain radon. Frozen ground can also act like a lid, which may push more soil gas toward the foundation.
Spring weather can swing between cold and warm days. Rain and melting snow can soak the soil. When soil becomes wet, air spaces in the ground can change, and radon movement can change too. In some homes, radon goes up after heavy moisture. In other homes, it may drop. This is one reason short-term tests can give different results depending on the week.
In summer, people may open windows more often or run fans and air conditioning. This can increase air exchange and sometimes lower indoor radon.
But summer can still bring higher readings in some homes. For example, if the home stays closed up with the air conditioner running, radon can build up. Also, if the basement is cooler and the upper floors are warmer, air movement can still pull soil gas in.
As temperatures cool, windows start closing and heating systems turn on. The stack effect can return, and radon levels may climb. Fall is also a common time for storms and changing air pressure, which can affect how gases move in and out of the soil.
Seasonal changes matter because radon risk is based on your average exposure over time. A low reading in summer does not always mean you are safe in winter. The opposite can also happen.
If you test and the results are near the action level, it is smart to follow up with another test, or use a longer test that measures over weeks or months. Long-term tests can give a better picture of your typical exposure.
If your home has elevated radon, mitigation systems can reduce it. These systems are common, effective, and usually run quietly in the background.
The first step is simple: test. Utah Radon Services offers free radon testing so you can find out what is happening in your home in every season. If you are curious, moving into a new home, or just want peace of mind, schedule a free test and get clear results you can act on.
As the global climate continues to reshape our environment, the attention understandably falls on rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and damage to biodiversity. However, one lesser-known consequence of climate change lies beneath our feet—literally. Scientists are beginning to uncover how shifting climate patterns may influence the behavior of radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas and a leading cause of lung cancer.
Radon is a radioactive gas produced by the natural decay of uranium in the ground. It can seep into homes and buildings through cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, joints, and other openings. It can then accumulate inside at dangerous levels, altering the DNA in our lungs. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States alone.
Weather and climate have a significant impact on radon levels, meaning that as the climate changes, our radon exposure also changes.
Climate change causes more frequent and intense rainfall, which saturates the soil and can increase the flow of radon gas into homes over time. On the other hand, extended droughts can dry out and crack the soil, opening new pathways for radon to rise to the surface and infiltrate buildings.
Warmer temperatures may also lead to increased use of air conditioning and more tightly sealed buildings to conserve energy. While this is great for energy efficiency, it also means radon has a harder time escaping.
Natural disasters also impact radon by altering the soil and the foundations of buildings. Even if there is no damage to the home's foundation, these increased disruptions can allow more radon to rise into the air above.
The potential for climate change to elevate radon exposure poses a serious public health challenge. Many areas that have not traditionally been considered high risk for radon could see rising levels, catching residents off guard and causing more lung cancer diagnoses. Without regular testing, homes in these newly affected regions may harbor dangerously high concentrations of radon for years without detection.
Even more, communities already burdened by climate-related stressors—such as heatwaves, flooding, and economic instability—may be the least equipped to respond to high radon levels.
While climate change requires widespread effort to combat, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from radon and radon-induced illnesses. All Utahns should test their homes for radon every two years, alternating between summer and winter. Click here to get a free test sent to your home from Utah Radon Services.
Additionally, it’s essential to discuss radon with your friends and family, especially since testing is simple and free. Most people don’t know their home has a high radon level until they receive a stage three or four lung cancer diagnosis. This outcome is largely preventable through broad public education, awareness, and regular testing.
