Air Quality
Indoor Air Quality:
Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. It is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. You can't see, taste or smell radon. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe.
Radon can get into any type of building but your greatest exposure is likely your home. For this reason, you should test your home to determine what levels are present.
Choices:
- Learn more about the health effects of radon at: www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/healthrisks.html
- Test your home for radon. To order a test kit visit: www.radon.utah.gov/
- Include radon-resistant measures in your basement remodeling.
Outdoor Air Quality:
Winter includes at least one inversion period for many of Utah's valleys. An inversion occurs when the right conditions - cold temperatures, no breezes - cause cold air to become trapped.
If the air isn't moving, neither is the pollution from cars, wood burning stoves and other sources. It begins to build up, held in place beneath a layer of warm air. While we can’t control the weather, there are steps we can each take to minimize winter pollution.
Choices:
- Subscribe to the Choose Clean Air Listserv to receive air quality alerts at: www.cleanair.utah.gov/
- Burn properly according to the Red-Yellow-Green alerts.
- Keep your chimney clean and have it inspected annually.
- Drive less. Carpool, walk or take mass transit.
- Keep your vehicle well tuned.
For more choices, visit DEQ’s Choose Clean Air Web site at:
www.cleanair.utah.gov/