Your Body Almanac

Idaho

Mountain radon, smoky summers, cold winters and weak winter sun.

Much of Idaho has high radon potential, especially in the north and the central mountains. Wildfire smoke can settle into valleys for weeks in late summer, and winters are long, cold and short on vitamin D-making sunlight.

01

Radon in the north and central mountains

EPA places 19 of Idaho's 44 counties in Zone 1, its highest radon-potential category, including Kootenai, Bonner, Boundary, Latah, Blaine, Valley and Elmore. Only five counties are in the lowest zone. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and testing is the only way to know your home's level.

SourcesEPA Map of Radon Zones and Supplemental Information (US EPA)Health Risk of Radon (US EPA)
Test your home for radonAs neededRadon is invisible and odorless, so a simple test is the only way to know your level. Fix it at 4 pCi/L or higher.
02

Wildfire smoke

Fires in Idaho and neighboring states can fill mountain valleys with smoke during late summer. Fine smoke particles irritate your lungs, can trigger asthma and heart problems, and hit children, older adults and outdoor workers hardest.

SourcesHow Wildfire Smoke Affects Your Body (CDC)Wildfires and Smoke (AirNow)
Check the air qualityAs neededLook up your local Air Quality Index before outdoor work or exercise, and scale back when it is high. Wear a respirator for dust, fumes and smokeAs neededUse a properly fitted N95 or better respirator for dusty work and heavy wildfire smoke, and a cartridge respirator for gases and vapors.
03

A long vitamin D winter

Idaho lies between about 42 and 49 degrees north. At Boston's 42 degrees, a classic study found winter sun made no vitamin D in skin from November through February, and the gap grows longer the farther north you go. Food sources carry more weight here.

SourcesInfluence of season and latitude on the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D3 (Webb, Kline and Holick, 1988)Vitamin D — Health Professional Fact Sheet (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements)
Get vitamin D from foodDailyEat fatty fish, fortified milk and UV-exposed mushrooms so you are not relying on the sun alone. Ask your doctor about vitamin DYearlyIf you get little sun or few vitamin D foods, ask at your checkup whether testing or a supplement makes sense for you.
05

Rocky Mountain wood ticks

This tick lives at about 4,000 to 10,500 feet in the Rocky Mountain states and can spread Colorado tick fever and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Spring hikes are peak season.

SourcesWhere Ticks Live (CDC)
Check for ticksAs neededAfter time in grass or woods, check your whole body, shower within two hours and dry your clothes on high heat. Use insect repellentAs neededUse an EPA-registered repellent on exposed skin when mosquitoes or ticks are around.