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Watch out for radioactive gas

Date Published: 01/15/2007 [Source]

The little-known risk of radon in the Sierra will be highlighted this week at a lecture hosted by the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center. Radon is an invisible, odorless and radioactive gas derived from the decay of naturally occurring uranium in all types of soils. Especially high concentrations of the gas occur in granitic soil, making it of special concern for residents of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Michael Lafavore's book, "Invisible Threat," relates the danger of radon through the story of one Pennsylvania resident whose home was found to have radon levels 700 times the recommended level for safe human exposure. The EPA estimated the elevated radon levels posed the same risk as smoking 280 packs of cigarettes a day. Even with this extreme level of radon, the owner was able to mitigate his home to safe levels.