Monday, September 15, 2025

Healing Waters

The Enduring Story of Boulder Hot Springs

By John Fisher (assisted by AI)

Our family first discovered hot springs in the 1980s when our children were young, making stops at three different springs during our travels. Among them, Boulder Hot Springs in Montana stood out—not just for its healing waters, but for its history, character, and enduring charm. Over the years, as we journeyed to and from Alberta where our children now live, Boulder Hot Springs became a favorite stop. Today, reopened as a hotel and spa, it still retains the spirit of the past with themed rooms and the quiet dignity of a place deeply rooted in Montana history.

The History of Boulder Hot Springs
The site now known as Boulder Hot Springs was first used by Native peoples who traveled through the valley during seasonal crossings, pausing to bathe in the warm, mineral-rich waters. By the early 1880s, A.C. Quaintance built a hotel that drew local miners and ranchers in search of rest and healing after long days of labor.

In 1909, the main building and baths were rebuilt in California Mission style by millionaire James A. Murray. Through the decades, the resort welcomed presidents, the wealthy, and everyday travelers alike. In 1935, an earthquake destroyed the Olympic-sized pool, but Boulder Hot Springs remained a bustling retreat well into the mid-20th century.

By the late 20th century, the property had fallen into decline until Dr. Anne Wilson Schaef, author and healer, became a guiding force in its restoration. Beginning in 1989, she and her team poured years of effort into saving the hotel—patching old walls, repainting, and steadily bringing life back to the once-dilapidated building. She also headquartered her internationally recognized healing work, Living in Process, at Boulder Hot Springs. Dr. Schaef kept the spirit of the springs alive until her passing in 2020, leaving behind both a restored landmark and a legacy of healing.

A Living Treasure
Today, Boulder Hot Springs continues its tradition as a place of renewal. Guests are welcomed into uniquely themed rooms, each with a character that blends old-world charm with modern comfort. The hot pools, steam, and stillness invite visitors to experience the same restorative powers that have drawn people here for generations.

For our family, it remains more than a stop on the road north—it is a touchstone to memory, history, and healing. Every visit reminds us why Boulder Hot Springs has endured: it offers not only warmth and rest, but also a deep sense of connection with the land, the past, and the people who have kept it alive.

Conclusion
From its beginnings as a Native resting place, to its heyday as a grand mission-style resort, through near ruin, and finally to its rebirth as a hotel and spa, Boulder Hot Springs embodies resilience and renewal. For us, it is both a personal tradition and a Montana treasure.

Keywords: Boulder Hot Springs, Montana history, healing waters, Anne Wilson Schaef, hot springs hotel
Hashtags: #BoulderHotSprings #MontanaHistory #HealingWaters #FamilyTradition #HistoricHotels

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Radon Mine Math

A look at the dose, risk, and what it means for short stays

Inside the Earth Angel Mine

By John Fisher (assisted by AI)

My wife and I recently dug into the numbers behind spending time at a radon mine in Basin, Montana. We wanted to know: if two nonsmoking women—one age 50, one age 75—spent three hours a day in the mine for five days, what kind of radiation dose would they get, and what would that mean for long-term health? The results might surprise you: the dose is measurable, the risk is real, but it is small for a short visit.

Breaking Down the Dose

The air in the mine carries about 1,700 picocuries per liter of radon on average (that’s roughly 63 kBq/m³ for those who like the technical side). Levels go up and down during the day, anywhere from about 700 to 2,200 pCi/L.

Spending a total of 15 hours underground (three hours each day for five days) works out to about 0.9 millisieverts (mSv) of effective radiation dose. For comparison, a chest CT scan is around 7 mSv, while natural background radiation in the U.S. is about 3 mSv per year.

Testing in the Earth Angel Mine matches these numbers closely. Measurements taken in 2024 and 2025 showed radon levels between about 1,600 and 2,300 picocuries per liter, right in line with the 1,700 pCi/L average described above. That means the dose estimates are consistent: a short visit of around 15 hours total adds up to less than 1 millisievert of radiation, far below what you would get from a medical CT scan and only a fraction of the natural radiation we all receive in a year. The science confirms that while the exposure is real and worth noting, it remains quite low for visitors who only spend a few days at the mine.

What That Means for Risk

Radiation experts estimate lifetime cancer risk by using a general rule of about 5–6% increased risk per sievert of exposure. At 0.9 mSv:

For a 50-year-old nonsmoking woman, the added lifetime risk is about 0.005% (roughly 1 in 20,000).
For a 75-year-old nonsmoking woman, the risk is lower because there’s less time for a radiation-related cancer to appear. The figure is about 1 in 30,000 to 1 in 60,000.

These are averages across populations—not personal predictions. Risks add up if you go back year after year.

Practical Pointers

Choose your spot wisely: Radon levels fluctuate. Areas with lower concentrations cut exposure.
Stay hydrated and comfortable: Unlike some mines that feel warm and damp, the Earth Angel Mine stays cool at about 55°F (13°C). Wear layers to keep warm while underground, and be sure to drink water and rest after each session.
Protect your lungs: No smoking, ever. It multiplies radon’s risk.
Don’t overdo it: Benefits reported in European studies often last 3–6 months. Give your body time before repeating a course.

Conclusion

Spending a few days at a radon mine delivers a measurable but modest dose of radiation. The potential benefits—like pain relief and reduced inflammation—are balanced against a small but real cancer risk. For nonsmoking visitors, especially older adults, the numbers suggest the risk from a short visit is low. Still, it’s worth knowing the math so you can make an informed decision before you go underground.

Keywords: radon therapy, Basin Montana, radiation dose, health risks, cancer risk

Hashtags: #RadonTherapy #MontanaTravel #HealthRetreat #RadiationRisk #WellnessJourney

Radon Mine Retreat

Soaking feet in radon mine waters

Our Five Days at Earth Angel Mines in Basin, Montana

By John Fisher (assisted by AI)

My wife and I recently spent five days with our daughter at Earth Angel Mines in Basin, Montana. Each day followed a simple routine: three one-hour sessions in the mine—morning, afternoon, and evening—with a period of rest after each dose. That added up to about three hours a day over five days. Between treatments we enjoyed the Boulder Hot Springs, which are only a short drive away. For lodging, we stayed right at the mine in one of their rental units, making the whole experience convenient and immersive.

This post is both a reflection on our time there and a practical overview of what you need to know if you are considering radon therapy.

Why People Seek Radon Therapy

Radon mines like Earth Angel are part of a small but long-standing tradition in the U.S. and Europe. The idea is that controlled exposure to low levels of radon gas may reduce pain and inflammation, especially for conditions like arthritis, back pain, or fibromyalgia. Visitors sit in the mine’s warm, humid tunnels where radon levels are naturally elevated.

Many people—ourselves included—go in search of symptom relief, improved mobility, and, in some cases, a reduction in medication use.

The Benefits Reported

Pain relief: European clinical studies, especially in Austria, suggest that a short series of radon sessions can ease pain for several months. Some patients report being able to cut back on painkillers.
Reduced inflammation: Recent research points to possible immune effects, such as dampening inflammatory pathways.
Overall well-being: Beyond the science, there’s the subjective experience. Spending quiet time underground, then relaxing in the hot springs, gave us a sense of calm and renewal.

For us, the most immediate benefit was the structured routine—sessions, rest, hot springs—that encouraged us to slow down and focus on our health.

The Risks You Should Understand

Radon is not without controversy. It is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen and is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Even low-dose exposures add incrementally to lifetime cancer risk. For a short visit like ours, the increase is very small—on the order of 1 in 20,000 additional risk for a healthy nonsmoker—but repeated or prolonged visits could raise that number.

Other practical risks include:

Humidity and heat: Mines maybe warm and damp, which can be uncomfortable for some people. The Earth Angel Mine stays cool at about 55°F (13°C). Wear layers to keep warm while underground, and be sure to drink water and rest after each session.
Respiratory sensitivity: Anyone with lung disease should be cautious.
Uncertain science: While many patients report feeling better, large-scale, long-term studies are still limited. (See other articles in this series.)

Pros and Cons in Balance

Pros

Potential for meaningful, months-long pain relief.
Restful, meditative environment.
Combination with local hot springs makes for a holistic wellness trip.
Lodging on site is convenient.

Cons

Scientifically controversial and not widely accepted in mainstream medicine.
Small but real cancer risk from radon exposure.
Effects may fade over time and are not guaranteed.
Not appropriate for everyone, especially smokers or those with serious respiratory conditions.

Final Thoughts

Our week at Earth Angel Mines was both a health retreat and a family memory. We valued the quiet time together, the structured rhythm of sessions and rest, and the chance to enjoy Boulder Hot Springs each day.

If you are considering radon therapy, weigh the potential short-term relief against the long-term risks. Go in informed, listen to your body, and always discuss such treatments with your healthcare provider—especially if you have pre-existing health issues.

For us, the trip was worthwhile not just for any physical benefit but also for the time it gave us to pause, reflect, and enjoy being together as a family.

Radon Treatment Pros and Cons

What Advocates Claim

People who visit radon mines usually sit or lie in old mining tunnels where radon levels are high. Proponents believe low-dose radon exposure can have therapeutic effects, particularly for chronic pain and inflammatory conditions. Reported benefits include:

Pain relief – Some patients with arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or other rheumatic diseases report reduced joint pain and stiffness after a series of radon sessions.
Reduced inflammation – Supporters say radon exposure activates anti-inflammatory pathways in the body.
Improved mobility and quality of life – Some claim better physical function after treatments.
Decreased medication use – A few studies suggest that patients undergoing radon therapy sometimes reduce their reliance on painkillers or steroids.

What the Science Says

Research on radon therapy exists, especially in Europe (Austria, Germany, Czech Republic), but results are mixed and sometimes controversial.

Some clinical studies: Controlled studies (often in Austrian spa towns like Bad Gastein) report short- to medium-term pain relief in patients with musculoskeletal or autoimmune diseases. Effects sometimes last months.
Hormesis theory: The benefits are explained using radiation hormesis—the idea that very low doses of radiation may stimulate protective or healing biological responses.
Limitations: Most studies are small, sometimes not double-blinded, and not widely replicated outside these spa regions.

Health Risks

Mainstream medicine, especially in the U.S., is cautious:

Radon is a Group 1 carcinogen – Long-term exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
No safe level established – Even low-dose exposures may increase cancer risk, especially with repeated or prolonged visits.
Short-term benefits vs. long-term risks – Pain relief might come at the cost of a higher lifetime cancer risk.

Balanced View

Potential short-term benefit: Some patients do feel better, and there is scientific work exploring why.
Uncertain long-term safety: The cancer risk is real, and no medical guidelines recommend radon therapy as a standard treatment.
Alternative therapies: Many of the same conditions (like arthritis) can also be treated with other approaches.

✅ In short: Radon mine therapy may provide temporary relief for pain and inflammation, but in theory it carries potential long-term health risks, especially lung cancer, with high doses. It’s an example of something that looks promising for symptom management but is not widely accepted in mainstream medicine because of the cancer concern. ChatGPT can’t find any documented case where a single short visit to a radon “health mine” was directly reported as causing cancer.

This information was provided by chatGPT.