Utah’s landscape is rich in uranium, and uranium mining has seen an uptick in recent years as mines have reopened. While uranium is an excellent source of nuclear energy, it also can put off deadly gas that causes 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually. (Impact of uranium mining on Utahns)
Radon’s impact on Utahns
When uranium decays, it turns into radon, a radioactive gas that cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. Prolonged exposure to radon can lead to lung cancer. In fact, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and with 1 in 3 Utah homes having a high radon level, it’s essential to test for it. In the U.S., thousands of people die every year from radon-induced lung cancer—not including those who get critically ill and don’t die.
Uranium mining in Utah
As Uranium mines reopen in Utah, Utahns must understand the risks associated with exposure to uranium and radon. While there are more protections in place now than when the mines first opened, there is always a risk of radon exposure when dealing with uranium, which can have grave consequences. The only way to detect radon is to test for it. Utah Radon Services offers one free radon test per household. Go to utahradonservices.com/radon-test to get yours. (Impact of uranium mining on Utahns)
