Connie Alexakos wants all Utah residents to test their homes for radon to avoid a radon‐induced / nonsmoking lung cancer diagnosis . ( Photo : Connie Alexakos )
Utah ' s cancerous landscape
Radon is a radioactive gas that is prevalent across the state of Utah and is created when uranium below the ground decays and the gases seep into the ground ' s surface .
While radon exposure is not much of a concern outdoors , the gas can get trapped in your home and change the DNA in your lungs .
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non‐smokers and claims 21,000 American lives per year . Utahns are at an exceptionally high risk , and most have no idea they ' ve been exposed until they receive a stage three or four lung cancer diagnosis .
In a recent study that examined the radon levels of over 73,000 Utah homes , 49 % tested at or above the level the World Health Organization considers dangerous and recommends installing a radon mitigation system .