I just finished reading Andy Larsen’s recent article, “Reality check: How much of a danger is radon anyway?,” and would like to present a reality check of my own — being diagnosed with Stage 4 nonsmoking lung cancer in August 2022, which, it turned out, was due to high radon levels in our home.
So many people living here have no idea what radon is or that they need to be concerned.
The specialist I saw at Huntsman Cancer Institute moved here over 20 years ago. He consistently tested his home and, when the earthquake in Magna happened three ago, he figured he had better check again. His levels had gone through the roof. Makes sense, the ground had moved and allowed more radon to enter his home. Doesn’t really sound like a craze, does it? Others say it’s a scam, I sure wish my diagnosis was a scam, but unfortunately it’s not.
That’s another thing, just testing once, if your levels are low — it’s not a one and done thing. I have never lived in a home as noisy as the one we are in. We have seen the homes in Draper fall off a cliff, we’ve heard on the news about homes settling, we all have cracks in our driveways, etc. The ground is constantly shifting here. Testing needs to be done every few years.
Utah Radon Services offers a free short-term test: Contact their website and request it. If you need mitigation, be sure to use a certified company.
Get your home tested and, if needed, mitigate. Believe me: Mitigation costs a lot less than cancer.
The biggest thing is to tell everyone you know about radon. Utah ranks 25th for radon levels in the U.S. There needs to be so much more awareness.
Lung cancer is one of the most dangerous of all cancers. Mine was found before signs/symptoms. My prognosis is great. Not many people get to say that because they find out too late.
Colorado recently passed the Radon Disclosure Bill for Residential Property (SB23-206). This bill establishes that buyers and renters have the right to be informed of whether radon tests have been performed and if a radon system is present in their home. Colorado is the 10th state in the union to pass such a bill. We need to do the same here in Utah, and I plan on seeing that happens.
Kerri E. Robbins, Draper
