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Radon is a radioactive gas that is incredibly common in Utah, but most people don’t know they’re at risk because it can’t be detected by our senses alone. While radon is prevalent in all of Utah, Cache County has some of the highest levels in the entire state.
Cache County is tied with Wasatch County for the county in Utah with the highest average radon level of 7.9 pCi/L. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that people take action at 2.7 pCi/L and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends action at 4.0 pCi/L.
A radon level of 4.0 pCi/L is equivalent to the same radon exposure as 100 chest X-rays, which means Cache County’s average level is near the equivalent of 200 X-rays. To put this into perspective, most hospitals only recommend up to 4 chest X-rays per year.
While the county as a whole has a high average radon level, some cities are higher than others. In fact, 5 of the top 10 cities in all of Utah with high average radon levels are in Cache County. This includes Millville (average radon level of 16.3 pCi/L), Wellsville (average radon level of 11.4 pCi/L), Nibley (average radon level of 9.1 pCi/L), Hyde Park (average radon level of 8.7 pCi/L), and Hyrum (average radon level of 8.7 pCi/L).
If you live in Cache County, but not in one of these cities, that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Radon can enter any home no matter how old it is or where it is located, so it’s important to know your radon level no matter what.
Radon is odorless, tasteless, and invisible, and the effects of exposure are often not discovered until the outcomes are grim. In fact, it’s not uncommon for someone to find out they have high radon only because they have a stage three or four lung cancer diagnosis.
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and kills 21,000 people per year (that’s roughly equivalent to every seat in the Delta Center). What’s even worse is that radon-induced illness is preventable if Utah renters and homeowners take the steps necessary to test their homes (and mitigate, if necessary).
Leading health organizations recommend testing for radon every two years, alternating between summer and winter. Radon levels can shift depending on weather, natural disasters, and construction, so this testing schedule helps you stay ahead of any potential changes in your home.
Radon tests are simple and effective ways to know your risk. All Utahns can get a free test from Utah Radon Services, and inexpensive tests can be purchased from local health departments or home improvement stores. If your home tests high, a radon mitigation system can be installed to bring the home to a lower, safer level.
