Swoyersville sits in EPA Zone 1, the highest risk classification for radon exposure in Pennsylvania. The Back Mountain region's geological story explains this elevated risk. The bedrock beneath Swoyersville contains naturally occurring uranium-bearing formations from ancient geological processes. As uranium slowly decays over millennia, it produces radon - a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that constantly seeps upward from the bedrock.
The area's glacial till deposits create additional complexity. During the last ice age, glaciers deposited layers of mixed soil, rock, and sediment across the Back Mountain region. These permeable glacial deposits act as channels, allowing radon gas to migrate efficiently from deep bedrock toward the surface. When homes are built on this geology, foundation cracks and gaps provide entry points for radon accumulation.
The Back Mountain's topography further concentrates radon risk. Natural drainage patterns and soil permeability variations mean that neighboring homes can have dramatically different radon levels. This geological variability makes professional making certified radon mitigation systems essential for home safety throughout Luzerne County.