Radon Health Risks

The World Health Organization says radon causes up to 15% of lung cancers worldwide. In an effort to reduce the rate of lung cancer around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched an international radon project to help countries increase awareness, collect data and encourage action to reduce radon-related risks. The U.S. EPA is one of several government agencies and countries supporting this initiative and concluded that radon in our homes is the main source of exposure to ionizing radiation, and accounts for 50% of public exposure to naturally-occurring sources of radiation in many countries.

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

Exposure to Radon Causes Lung Cancer In Non-smokers as well as Smokers

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

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

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

Second hand smoke is the third leading cause of lung cancer and causes an estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths every year. Exposure to secondhand smoke can have serious health effects on children, including asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and may 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 times the risk of drowning    Fix your home

10 pCi/L   About 1.8% of people could get lung cancer    20 times the risk of dying in a home fire    Fix your home

8 pCi/L   About 1.5% of people could get lung cancer   4 times the risk of dying in a fall   Fix your home

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

2 pCi/L   About 4 person could get lung cancer   The risk of dying from poison   Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L

1.3 Ci/L  About 2 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   This is the average outdoor radon level

Radon Risk If You Smoke

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

10 pCi/L  About 15% of people could get lung cancer  200 times the risk of dying in a home fire  Fix your home

8 pCi/L  About 12% of people could get lung cancer  30 times the risk of dying in a fall  Fix your home

4 pCi/L  About 6% of people could get lung cancer  5 times the risk of dying in a car crash  Fix your home

2 pCi/L  About 3% of people could get lung cancer   6 times the risk of dying from poison  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