Radon hazards in Utah, by D.A. Sprinkel and B.J. Solomon, 1990, 24 p. $3.75 C-81
Because radon is derived from geologic materials, geology influences the local concentration, release, and migration of radon. The relationship between geologic factors and the occurrence of high radon concentrations in buildings is discussed, and results are presented from a survey of indoor-radon levels in 631 homes statewide conducted by the Utah Division of Radiation Control.

Public Information Series

Radon-hazard potential in the Sandy-Draper area, Salt Lake County, Utah, by B.J. Solomon, 1 p., September 1993 Free PI-18
The radon-hazard potential of the Sandy-Draper area is mapped based on geologic factors. Soil with the greatest potential for high indoor-radon levels is common on the east bench at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Answers are provided to commonly asked questions about the occurrence of radon, associated health risks, and radon testing procedures.

Radon-hazard potential in the Provo-Orem area, Utah County, Utah, by B.J. Solomon, 1 p., Sept 1993 Free PI-21
The radon-hazard potential of the Provo-Orem area is mapped based on geologic factors. Soil with potential for higher indoor-radon levels is common on the east bench and on alluvial fans along the Wasatch Range front. Answers are provided to commonly asked questions about the occurrence of radon, associated health risks, and radon testing procedures.

Radon-hazard potential in the St. George area, Washington County, Utah, by B.J. Solomon, 1 page, 2/96 PI-35 Free
Information sheet with area map

Radon-hazard potential in the Ogden Valley, Weber County, Utah, by B.J. Solomon, 1 page, 2/96 PI-36 Free

Radon-hazard potential in western Salt Lake Valley, Salt Lake County, Utah, by B.D. Black, 2 p. PI-43 Free

Radon-hazard potential in Tooele Valley, Tooele County, Utah, by B.D. Black, 2 p. PI-44 Free

Radon-hazard potential in the lower Weber River area, Weber and Davis Counties, Utah, by B.D. Black, 2 p. PI-45 Free

Radon-hazard potential in southeastern Cache Valley, Cache County, Utah, by B.J. Solomon and B.D. Black, 2 p. PI-46 Free

Radon-hazard potential in the central Sevier Valley, Sevier County, Utah, by B.J. Solomon, 2 p., PI-47 Free

Special Studies

Radon-hazard-potential areas in Sandy, Salt Lake County, and Provo, Utah County, Utah, by B.J. Solomon, B.D. Black, D.L. Nielson, D.L.Finerfrock, J.D. Hultquist, and Cui Linpei, 49 p., 1994 SS-85 $6.50
Average indoor-radon levels in two areas of the Wasatch Front region of north-central Utah are considerably higher than the national average of 1.7 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) (63 Becquerels per cubic meter [Bq/m3]). The average indoor-radon level on the east bench of Sandy near Little Cottonwood Canyon is 3.8 pCi/L (141 Bq/m3) and on the east bench of Provo it is 2.9 pCi/L (107 Bq/m3). The radon-hazard potential was estimated using three geologic factors: (1) uranium content of soils, (2) concentration of radon in soil gas, and (3) depth to ground water. Numerical scores were applied to each factor, and three radon-hazard-potential categories were established based on the cumulative totals of the three factors. The categories characterize the hazard potential of each major Quaternary geologic unit.

Radon-hazard potential of the southern St. George basin, Washington County, and Ogden Valley, Weber County, Utah by B.J. Solomon, 42p., 1995, SS-87 $6.50
Hazard maps constructed from overlays of each specific factor define the relative potential for elevated indoor-radon levels in the southern St. George basin and Ogden Valley, Utah. The radon-hazard potential of the southern St. George basin is highest south of St. George, where uranium levels are relatively high and either ground water is deep, soil is permeable, or both. Uranium (238U) levels are greatest in shale of the Petrified Forest Member of the Triassic Chinle Formation and associated residual soils, and are also high (up to 3.4 ppm) in granular soils of the Virgin River flood plain and fine-grained soils of the Washington Fields area. The radon-hazard potential of Ogden Valley is highest northwest of Eden, and in smaller areas east of Eden and near the head of Ogden Canyon. As near St. George, a combination of high uranium levels, deep ground water, and permeable soil are characteristic of high-hazard areas. Uranium levels in Ogden Valley are greatest (up to 5.4 ppm) in Quaternary alluvial-fan, fluvial, and lacustrine deposits derived from the Tertiary Norwood Tuff, and are also high in similar deposits derived from low-grade metamorphic rocks, carbonaceous mudstone, and granitic diamictite of the Precambrian Formation of Perry Canyon.

Radon-hazard potential of the central Sevier Valley, Sevier County, Utah, by B.J. Solomon, 48 p., 1996 SS-89 $6.00
This study shows the radon-hazard potential of the central Sevier Valley is highest in the south-central part between the communities of Monroe and Sevier, and also northward along the valley margins.

Radon-hazard potential of the lower Weber River area, Tooele Valley, and southeastern Cache Valley, Cache, Davis, Tooele, and Weber Counties, Utah, by B.D. Black and B.J. Solomon, 56 p., 1 pl., 1:50,000 and 1:100,000, 1996 SS-90 $6.50
Three areas of northern Utah are included in this study. All these display similar geologic characteristics which affect their potential for radon hazards. Generally, a high-hazard potential was found along range fronts where uranium concentrations are higher, where ground water is deep, and where soils are more permeable.

Radon-hazard potential of western Salt Lake Valley, Salt Lake County, Utah, by B.D. Black, 27 p., 1 pl., 1:50,000, 1996 SS-91 $6.50
The area between the Jordan River and the eastern foothills of the Oquirrh Mountains shows increased potential on the western side, decreasing to the east. Factors affecting this higher potential include the presence of uranium-enriched geologic material, moderate-permeability soils, and deep ground water.

Radon-hazard potential of Beaver basin area, Beaver County, Utah, by Charles E. Bishop, 39 p., 8/98 $8.25 SS-94 Indoor radon levels in the Beaver basin of southwestern Utah are the highest recorded to date in Utah. The basin is filled with uraniferous sediments from the Tushar Mountains. High uranium concentrations, deep ground water, and highly permeable soils combine to produce the high radon-hazard potential.

Open-file Reports

Places with hazards; a teacher's handbook on natural hazards in Utah: The radon hazard in Utah, by B.J. Solomon and D.A. Sprinkel, 32 p., June 1991 $2.75
Part II - slides for 211D; 14 slides, 3 p. (rev. 11/93) $7.50 OFR-211D
A curriculum for secondary-level earth science teachers to prepare students to live more safely in a world that can pose problems from natural hazards, also suitable for the general reader as an introduction to the indoor-radon hazard. Identifies the geologic source of radon describes the movement of radon from the source into buildings, identifies areas in Utah where indoor-radon levels are more likely to be excessive, identifies the health effects of radon exposure, and discusses methods to prevent indoor-radon contamination.

Engineering geologic map folio, Springdale, Washington County, Utah, by B.J. Solomon, 6 plates, scale 1:14,400, 8/96 OFR-340 $18.00
Landslide hazards; flood hazards and problem soils; earthquake hazards, shallow ground water, rockfall hazards, indoor-radon hazards; suitability for wastewater disposal in septic-tank soil-absorption systems; geologic map; description and correlation of map units, stratigraphic columns, and geologic cross sections.