Radon Health Risks

The World Health Organization concluded that radon causes up to 15% of lung cancers worldwide. To reduce the rate of lung cancer, the WHO launched an international radon initiative to help countries increase awareness, collect data and encourage action to reduce radon risks. The U.S.EPA is supporting this effort and concluded that radon in our homes is the main source of exposure to ionizing radiation, and accounts for half of the exposure to naturally-occurring radiation in many nations.

The Surgeon General of the U.S. issued a Health Advisory in 2005 to warn Americans about the health risk from exposure to radon in indoor air, and urged Americans to test their homes for radon. Surgeon General Dr. Carmona stressed the need to address the problem as soon as possible when the radon level reaches 4 pCi/L (Picocuries Per Liter) or above.

Exposure to Radon Causes Lung Cancer In Non-smokers Too!

Lung cancer kills an enormous number of Americans every year. There is increased public awareness about lung cancer, especially among those who have never smoked. Smoking, radon, and second hand smoke are the three leading causes of lung cancer, and the survival rate is one of the lowest among all cancers. With Radon, lung cancer can be prevented.

Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer, causing approximately 160,000 deaths in the U.S. per year (American Cancer Society, 2004). Lung cancer has surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of death among women. A smoker who is exposed to radon faces an increased risk of lung cancer.

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and according to the EPA, is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year.

Second hand smoke is the number three cause of lung cancer, with an estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths every year. Exposure to secondhand smoke can have dangerous health effects on children, including asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and can even cause ear infections.

Learn more about lung cancer:

American Cancer Society

American Lung Association

Radon Risk If You've Never Smoked

20 pCi/L: About 4% of people could get lung cancer, 35 x the risk of drowning; Fix your home

10 pCi/L: About 1.8% of people could get lung cancer, 20 x the risk of a home fire fatality; Fix your home

8 pCi/L: About 1.5% of people could get lung cancer, 4 x the risk of fatal fall; Fix your home

4 pCi/L: About .7% of people could get lung cancer, The same risk as dying in a car crash; Fix your home

2 pCi/L: About .4% of people could get lung cancer, The same risk as dying from poisoning; Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L

1.3 pCi/L: About .2% of people could get lung cancer, This is the average indoor radon level

Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L may be difficult to acheive.

0.4 pCi/L: This is the average outdoor radon level

Radon Risk If You Smoke

20 pCi/L: ;About 26% of people could get lung cancer, 250 x the risk of drowning; Fix your home

10 pCi/L: About 15% of people could get lung cancer, 200 x the risk of a home fire fatality Fix your home

8 pCi/L: About 12% of people could get lung cancer, 30 x the risk of dying from falling; Fix your home

4 pCi/L: About 6% of people could get lung cancer, 5 x the risk of dying from a car crash; Fix your home

2 pCi/L: About 3% of people could get lung cancer, 6 x the risk of poisoning; Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L

1.3 pCi/L: About 2% of people could get lung cancer, This is the average indoor radon level

Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult

0.4 pCi/L: About .3% of people could get lung cancer, This is the average outdoor radon level



Source: EPA