Preparing for natural disasters is easy – while they can be uncontrollable acts of nature or some sort of human-made catastrophe, there are still ways that we can protect and prepare ourselves. However, there are some natural disasters that aren’t so easily prepared for, and sometimes they aren’t something that’s going to happen.
Utah residents, in particular, have a problem unique to the state but no less dangerous than any other natural disaster in the world: a high presence of radon. And while Utah residents might be well-prepared for any type of natural calamity, dealing with the radon problem might be a little complex.
But why is there so much radon in the state to begin with – and how do you get rid of it?
Radon Basics
If you’ve never heard of the element, radon is a colorless, odorless gas that forms as a byproduct of uranium decay. And if you know anything about uranium, you’ll have some idea that radon is radioactive in nature – which means it’s a health hazard. And it’s something that you may have no idea about until it’s too late.
However, radon doesn’t stick around for long. The average half-life of radon is around four days, which means that most areas that have radon exposure only need to be cleared for a little over two weeks. However, Utah is not most areas.
Where Does it All Come From?
The reason why Utah has so much radon concentration is that it’s a mining state. Unlike the movies, radioactive material isn’t just made by a bunch of scientists in a lab. Naturally occurring radioactivity is present in nature and can be found just a few feet beneath the earth.
And if you think that you’re safe because you don’t live near a mine, think again. Radon is gaseous, which means that it can rise up from the earth below without being disturbed. And you don’t necessarily need a mining operation to disturb radon deposits: most basements would be enough, as they burrow into the ground and are generally shut in.
How Can I Tell?
There are several ways to do radon testing here in Utah: you can buy your own kit, check your city hall records, or even hire a professional company to do it. Not only does this ensure the quality of your radon check, but they can provide immediate, actionable solutions if your home tests positive for radon.
One thing’s for sure though: don’t ask around to compare results. Radon concentrations in the state isn’t a blanket, as some areas are radon-rich while others have little to no concentration of the gas.
But given the trend of building property and expanding mining operations, it’s reasonable to believe that more deposits of radon might be disturbed in the future.
How Can I Get Rid of It?
If your home DOES test positive for radon, the solution is simply to seal off the access point in which radon is coming from. This can be as easy as sealing a crack in your basement floor to diverting the airflow entirely.
For some homes, a radon mitigation system is an ideal solution to keep the gas within livable levels.
While radon can be a deadly health hazard to many homes in Utah, it is an actionable problem that can be solved with ease and expert advice. If you’re unaware of your home’s radon status or are worried about new construction close to your site, you should absolutely get your area tested for gas exposure.
Paul Petersen is a seasoned home improvement expert and DIY enthusiast with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He began his career as a carpenter, honing his skills in woodworking and structural design. Over the years, Paul expanded his expertise to encompass a wide range of home renovation projects, from kitchen remodels to landscape design.