Radon is estimated to cause thousands of lung cancer deaths each year. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, behind smoking. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

ANY exposure to radon has some risk of causing lung cancer. The lower the radon level in your home, the lower your family's risk of lung cancer.

RADON RISK IF YOU SMOKE
Radon Level If 1,000 people were exposed to this level over a lifetime. The risk of cancer compares to.** WHAT TO DO: Stop Smoking and...
20 pCi/L About 135 people could get lung cancer <-100 times the risk of drowning Fix your home
10 pCi/L About 71 people could get lung cancer <-100 times the risk of dying in a home Fix your home
8 pCi/L About 57 people could get lung cancer   Fix your home
4 pCi/L About 29 people could get lung cancer <-100 times the risk of dying in an airplane crash Fix your home
      Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L
2 pCi/L About 15 people could get lung cancer <-2 times the risk of dying in a car crash  
1.3 pCi/L About 9 people could get lung cancer (Average indoor radon level) (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult)
0.4 pCi/L About 3 people could get lung cancer (Average outdoor radon level)  
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower.


RADON RISK IF YOU HAVE NEVER SMOKED
Radon Level If 1,000 people were exposed to this level over a lifetime. The risk of cancer compares to.** WHAT TO DO: Stop Smoking and...
20 pCi/L About 8 people could get lung cancer <-The risk of being killed in a violent crime Fix your home
10 pCi/L About 4 people could get lung cancer Fix your home
8 pCi/L About 3 people could get lung cancer <-10 times the risk of dying in an airplane crash Fix your home
4 pCi/L About 2 people could get lung cancer <-The risk of drowning Fix your home
Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L
2 pCi/L About 1 person could get lung cancer <-The risk of dying in a home fire
1.3 pCi/L Less than 1 person could get lung cancer (Average indoor ration level) (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult)
0.4 pCi/L Less than 1 person could get lung cancer (Average outdoor radon level)
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be higher.



What is Radon?   Who should get tested?   How does radon enter my home?
Methods to Reduce Radon   Dangers of Radon   What will my house look like?
Comments or Questions   References
Back to the Main Page

Copyright 2003 Radon Reduction Specialists