Radon-hazard potential of western Salt Lake Valley, Salt Lake County, Utah (SS-91)

By: B. D. Black

Radon is a radioactive gas of geologic origin that is an environmental concern because of its link to lung cancer. Radon is derived from the decay of uranium and can accumulate indoors in sufficient quantities to pose a health hazard to building occupants. Although the influence of non-geologic factors such as construction type, lifestyles, and weather is difficult to measure, geologic factors that influence indoor-radon levels can be quantified to assess the hazards potential.

Geologic factors that influence indoor-radon levels have been studied for western Salt Lake Valley to indicate where indoor radon may be a hazard and radon-resistant techniques should be considered in new construction. The western Salt Lake Valley study area is between the eastern base of the Oquirrh Mountains and the Jordan River, and is in the depositional basin of Pleistocene Lake Bonneville. The Study area is bordered on the southwest by the Bingham stock, a Tertiary-age hydrothermally altered and mineralized granitic pluton.

A numerical rating system was used to assess and map the relative radon-hazard potential in western Salt Lake Valley. The hazard potential is highest in the western part of the study area, where high uranium levels, moderate-permeability soils, and deep ground water are common. The hazard potential is lowest in the northern part of the study area and along the Jordan River, where low uranium levels, low-permeability soils, and shallow ground water are found.

Other Information:
Published: 1996
Pages: 27 p.
Plates: 1 pl.
Scale: 1:50,000
Location: Salt Lake County
Media Type: Paper Publication