WYOMING RADON PROJECT
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is odorless, colorless and tasteless. It comes from the natural decay of uranium, which is found in the soil throughout Wyoming. Radon enters homes and buildings from the soil beneath through cracks and other openings in the foundation. Exposure to radon increases your risk of developing lung cancer. Approximately 21,000+ lung cancer deaths each year are attributable to radon. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Approximately one-third of all homes in Wyoming have radon levels above EPA’s action level of 4.0 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). Any home or building with a radon level at or above 4.0 pCi/L should be fixed (mitigated).
"Elevated Levels" refer to those tests at or above 4.0 pCi/L. However, homes/buildings, etc testing below 4.0 pCi/L MIGHT still present a health hazard to the occupants. There is no safe level of radon. The EPA's ACTION LEVEL of 4.0 pCi/L is based on the technology presently available to effectively reduce radon. In most cases, radon levels can be reduced below 2.0 pCi/L. The lower the radon level, the less the risk of developing lung cancer.
The average cost of a home mitigation is $500-$3,000. Radon-resistant construction techniques can be incorporated when constructing new homes and buildings for about half the cost of a retrofit system. More detailed information on radon in Wyoming follows:
EPA Radon Slide Presentation
Links to Other Radon Sources:
Radon Toll-Free Hotlines
1-800-SOS-RADON (1-800-767-7236) National Safety Council’s Radon Hotline
1-800-55RADON (1-800-557-2366) for live help with your radon questions
1-800-644-6999 Radon Fix-it Hotline, for help with your radon mitigation questions
1-800-438-4318 EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse
1-800-426-4791 Safe Drinking Water Hotline
For more information, please email Steve Melia at steve.melia@health.wyo.gov.