Radon and Lake Tahoe

Renny our Radon Robot thinks trail running on Tahoe granite is much more fun than thinking about Radon! Yet, the rock is why Tahoe has such high Radon. You'll see Renny and more robot friends throughout this guide, offering a cheerful presence as we explore the serious issue of Radon in homes.

Radon Comes With the Tahoe Landscape, But So Does the Danger

If you spend any time around Lake Tahoe, you get used to seeing granite everywhere. What most people do not realize is that this same granite naturally gives off a little Radon. It is just part of how the rock formed long ago. Granite holds tiny traces of uranium, and as it slowly breaks down, it releases Radon gas. Nothing dramatic, nothing unusual, just the landscape doing what it has always done.

Because Tahoe is built on so much granite, Radon is simply part of living here. And, Radon at Lake Tahoe is a concern for residents. That's because Radon causes cancer. In fact, Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, behind cigarette smoking.

So, Radon is all around us at Tahoe, and it's dangerous. What now? Run for the hills? But, hey! I'm already at Lake Tahoe, and a runner, too! So, let's get a little serious about this concern.

What Can Be Done About Radon?

The good news is that Radon is detectable. And, it's a manageable risk. That's why I created this series of pages about Radon at Tahoe. My aim is to help you to learn about Radon, how to determine your risk from Radon, and how to manage your exposure to it.

It's not very difficult to detect the level of Radon in your home or workplace using a Radon detector. And, a variety of Radon mitigation measures are options you can DIY or have installed to cut down the Radon. But, before getting into this presentation of risks and remedies, let's explore a few more convincing facts about Radon at Lake Tahoe.

How Much Radon is Actually At Lake Tahoe

The California Geological Survey - the agency that studies Radon - says that Radon poses a significant risk to residents of the Lake Tahoe Basin, especially those on the South Shore. El Dorado County’s Department of Environmental Management also sounds the warning about Radon at Lake Tahoe.

The report "Radon Potential in the Lake Tahoe Area, California" states that an estimated 23,400 people in the Lake Tahoe area live in buildings where Radon is likely to equal or exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended action level. How can you find out if you are living in one of the high-Radon buildings? After browsing this Radon at Tahoe series, you will be armed with loads of information to find out about the amount of Radon you are living in, and what you can do about it.

Tahoe Homeowners Are Getting Smart

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency and California Department of Public Health, "More and more, consumers are asking about Radon levels before they buy or rent a home." That's smart of them!

Our Radon at Tahoe series is provided to inform about Radon at Lake Tahoe and beyond, so that you can live more healthfully in this beautiful place. On each page, you can view more by clicking on one of the navigation links below.

Navigation: More Radon Information