What renters can do about radon - Radon education is often directed toward homeowners, but did you know you can take steps if you’re a renter, too? We’re here to help you stay happy and healthy in your rental home—today and for years to come.
What is radon?
Radon is a natural radioactive gas that is created in the soil and rises into the air we breathe. It’s not incredibly dangerous when it rises outdoors, but it can cause lung cancer and other diseases when it concentrates indoors.
This gas can rise through tiny pores, joints, and cracks in a building’s foundation. Even more, while the age of a building can impact how much radon is let in, no building is immune to high radon levels.
How to know if your rental has high radon levels
If you live in a building with several floors, the higher the floor, the less likely you’ll have high radon. This is because radon is heavier than air so it tends to be highest on the bottom floors (basements and first floors).
The only way to know if your home has high radon is to test for it. All Utahns, no matter if they rent or own, can request a free radon test from UtahRadon.org. There’s no catch! After the test arrives at your home, simple instructions will show you how to place the test for 48 hours. You will also receive a pre-paid label to send the test to a third-party lab for testing.
If your residence tests at 2.0 picocuries per litre (pCi/L) or higher, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends considering a mitigation system. They strongly recommend a system at 4.0 pCi/L, and the World Health Organization (WHO) urges them at 2.7 pCi/L.
How to talk to your landlord about radon
Landlords do not always know about the risks of radon exposure and may not see a radon mitigation system as an urgent matter. You can copy and paste the messages below, based on your situation, to help educate your landlord on the need to test for radon and/or install a radon mitigation system.
If you don’t know if the building has been tested for radon
“Hi [landlord’s name]. I recently learned about the dangers of radon-induced lung cancer and that nearly 50% of Utah homes have high levels of radon. Has my [home/unit/building] been tested for radon in the last two years? If not, I am planning on ordering a free, non-invasive test from UtahRadon.org. I’ll gladly forward you the results for your records. Thanks!”
If you test your residence and it tests high
“Hi [landlord’s name]. I recently tested my home for radon, and it tested high at [XX.XX pCi/L], which is a level that leading health organizations recommend installing a radon mitigation system. I’m not sure how much you know about radon, but it is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and nearly 50% of Utah homes have high levels of radon. I’d like to discuss getting a radon mitigation system installed (which also has perks outside of radon reduction, including humidity reduction and an increase in the home’s value!). Can we chat about this? I’d be happy to share more information from UtahRadon.org for you to read.”
Is a landlord required to mitigate if high radon levels are found?
While states like Colorado have adopted laws that allow a renter to exit their lease without penalty if the landlord refuses to install a radon mitigation system when high radon levels are found, Utah unfortunately does not have any similar laws. (What renters can do about radon)
If you’re shopping for a place to rent, it’s important to ask the landlord if the building has been tested for radon in the past 2 years. Many landlords who may not be familiar with radon are willing to test and take the appropriate actions to ensure your safety and well-being. If they are not, it may be wise to look for a different place to rent.
If you’re currently renting, start the conversation with your landlord. If your landlord refuses to test and/or mitigate, use social media to help future renters know the landlord’s stance, appeal to the Utah legislature to have laws to protect renters, and simply do whatever you can to encourage positive changes. (What renters can do about radon)
For more information, visit UtahRadon.org/resources.
