These Utah eighth graders are spreading awareness about radon
Radon is a radioactive gas found in many homes and is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers
Since her diagnosis, she had her home mitigated to lower the radon levels and now keeps a radon detector in her home so she can always be aware of what the levels are. On Thursday, Robbins was at the Capitol with a group of eighthh grade students from Promontory School in Perry, Box Elder County, who were presenting research they had done about radon.
Published: Feb 26, 2026, 4:32 p. m. MST
Darcy Young with the Promontory School of Expeditionary
Learning hangs a banner at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. Students from the charter school shared their research on radon at the Capitol today. Laura Seitz, Deseret News
By Caitlin Keith Caitlin is a general assignment reporter with the Politics and the West team. She covers politics, breaking news and other topics.
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KEY POINTS
Radon is a top cause of nonsmoking lung cancer. Utahns can get free radon tests online.
A group of students conducted over 60 radon tests in Box Elder County.
Kerri Robbins was diagnosed with
Stage 4 nonsmoking lung cancer in 2023, which stemmed from high levels of radon in her Lehi home.“ The levels in my house were like
I was smoking three packs of cigarettes a day,” Robbins said.
Kerri Robbins, center, talks about her Stage 4 nonsmoking lung cancer that she got from radon in her home at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
The project was led by math teacher Rob Christensen and science teacher Lisa Wells. The educators began by spending a few weeks having the kids learn about radiation and radon.
The students then gave radon testing kits to any family in Box Elder County who wanted one. They did over 60 tests, and then a group of eight eighth grade studentss worked with Christensen to analyze the data.
“ It’ s been an exciting thing because the kids are starting to realize how important this is and that it’ s affecting our people,” said Christensen.