A preliminary assessment of factors affecting radon levels in Idaho

With rising energy prices in the 1970's, a nationwide surge of home weatherization began. Unfortunately, these efforts can cause indoor air pollutants, such as radon, to be trapped and concentrate in homes. Much of Idaho is underlain by granitic and related rocks associated with the Idaho Batholith. Since granitic-type rocks commonly have higher concentrations of radium which decays to radon, the Idaho Division of Environment obtained a grant from the Idaho Cancer Coordinating Committee to survey radon levels throughout the state. This paper presents the results of the first phase of this state-wide survey and examines the possible factors affecting these levels in two Idaho counties