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Show THE Page 8 OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume XIII Issue VI January 1, 2006 Radon: What You Can’t Taste, Smell or See Can Hurt You By Jolene Weinstein RADON-HAZARD POTENTIAL IN OGDEN VALLEY, WEBER COUNTY, UTAH Surgeon General Health Advisory: “Indoor radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the UnitedStates and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families all over the country. It’s important to know that this threat is completely preventable. Radon can be detected with a simple test and fixed ous well-established venting techiques.” January 2005 ath is radon? Radon is a radioactive gas that has no smell, taste, or color. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all rock and soil. Where geologic conditions are favorable, the potential increases for high indoor levels of radon This soil is derived from metamorphic rock on the northwest Ogden Valley margin. The accompanying map is provided by Utah Geological Survey, a division of the Utah Department of Natural Resources. This map should NOT be used to determine if a home in a given zone should be tested for radon. Homes with elevated levels of radon have been found in all three zones. The only way to tell if you have a radon problem is to test for it. It is recommended that all homes on or below the second story should be tested—regardless of geographic location. don can seep into all types of buildings: homes, offices, and — bine in high indoor radon levels. But you and your family are most likely to get a greatest exposure at home where you spend most of your time. Radon is estimated to cause thousands of lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year. Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. That’s because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only lung cancer deaths. smoking causes UTAH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY a division of UTAH DEPARTMENT » OF NATURAL Public Information Series 36 February 1996 RESOURCES 119" 525° hi 111" 45° 1 |i b+ 41° 22. Radon-Hazard Potential [H] High Yo 0 1 2 know more about radon risks than risks from most other cancer-causing substances. This is because estimates of radon risks are based on studies of cancer in humans (underground miners). Smoking combined with radon is an especially serious health risk. Stop smoking and lower your radon level to reduce your lung cancer risk. Children have been reported to have greater risk than adults of certain types of cancer from radiation, but there are currently no conclusive data on whether children are at greater risk than adults from radon. Moderate ow Your chances of getting lung cancer from radon depend mostly on much radon is in your home, The amount of time you spend in your -aees 3 SSS 4 ~ 5kilometers b 41° 15° ~ Whether you are a smoker or have ever smoked. Testing for Radon There are two general ways to test for radon: (1) short-term testing takes from two to 90 days, depending on the device; (2) long-term testing takes more than 90 days. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends a short-term test. Lowcost, “do-it-yourself” kits are available both through the mail and in retail outlets; or you can hire a trained contractor. Make sure the test kit has passed EPA’s testing program or the contractor is EPA qualified. Two Ways to Order a Radon Test 1. Go RIWIR te — RpA’s 2003 Assessment of Risks from Radon jn Homes (EPA _402-R-03-003). The num- more bers of deaths from other causes are taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention s 1999-2001 National Center for ry Prevention and Control Report and ae National Safety Council Reports. \ The Risk of Living with Radon Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As they break down further, these particles release small bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over the course of your lifetime. Not everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon will develop lung cancer, and the amount of time between exposure and the onset of the disease may be many years. Like other environmental pollutants, there is some uncertainty about the magnitude of radon health risks. However, we 2. Contact a local Residential Measurement Provider—individuals holding Residential Measurement Provider for Standard and Analytical Services certificate have a demonstrated knowledge of U.S. EPA radon measurement orotooals for the placement and retrieval of radon measurement devices. They have also RADON cont. on page 10 Subscriptions available for out of area residents at $18.00 annually. Send payment with mailing address to: THE OGDEN VALLEY NEws PO BOX 130 EDEN UT 84310 801-745-4000 “ AED 2 Ke ie Detached Resort Homes from $330,000 1 Fresh Salsa from the Produce . & I I Your Winter Ski Chalet. Three Family Ski Resorts. All One Hour from Salt Lake! I at Wolf Creek Resort I I Ogden Valley 5S0e¢ OFF Any can Western Family Nuts OFF I Assorted Flavors 12-pack Shasta ie OFF Expires Bob Whitney 801-205-7111 Marketed by Watts Group 801-272-7111 / www.trappersridge.com AWatts Enterprises Community Kevin Watts Architects QQ orton wu ‘ : c i ea Snowmobiling with coupon _apires'3 1/15) oie 2 Follow Signs from Wolf Creek Club House One Mile East to Trappers Ridge Models Open Daily Except Sunday with coupon expires 1 1/5/06 5S0e¢ with coupon 1/15/06 I I I gk "OFF with coupon Expires 1/15/06 I Western Family Nellies I I Oe Gold OFF witn coupon Expires _ to on/radorder.html> The Utah Srey Council offers EPA approved highly accurate, short term radon test kits for only $10.00. It states online if you mention their website when ordering, that you can receive free shipping. You can print the form from this website and either fax it to 801-478-0884 or mail the form to Utah Safety Council, 1574 W. 1700 S., Suite 201, SLC, Utah 84104. RIEIR DE his map shows the radon-hazard potential based on geologic factors. This map is for general reference only. Indoor-radon levels canbe Strongly affected by non-geologie factors such as weather. lfestyle, and bulding construction and maintenance. ‘The only way to accurately determine the indoor-radon level within a specific building isto test If you smoke and yo home has high radon levels, your risk oflimg cancer is especially high. Radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year ‘acconiing 16 ~~ by Barry J. Solomon 1/15/06 me Chi ps |