Radon Control Program

Health Effects

Radon is a radioactive gas that can be inhaled into the lungs. In the lungs, radiation exposure to the lung tissue occurs. This exposure may lead to the onset of lung cancer five to twenty years later. It is estimated that 12% of all lung cancers are caused by exposure to Radon gas. It is also estimated that 15,000 to 22,000 of the 158,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States are caused by exposure to Radon and Radon progeny.

The risk of developing lung cancer from Radon gas exposure is directly related to the concentration of Radon gas to which one has been exposed, if the person is a smoker, and other individual factors. There is no safe level of Radon exposure. The US Environmental Protection Agency has established an action level of 4.0 pCi/L of Radon in indoor air. The best way to avoid illness is to reduce Radon exposure as much as possible and don’t smoke!

Other than lung cancer, Radon does not cause any other known ill effects. Because Radon is an odorless, colorless gas, you would be unaware that high concentrations are being breathed. Testing is the only means to determine if you and your family are being exposed to high levels of Radon gas.