What is Radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas released from the normal decay of uranium in rocks and soil. It is an invisible, orderless and tasteless gas that seeps up through the ground and diffuses into the air. In a few areas, depending upon local geology, radon dissolves into the ground water and can be released into the air when the water is used.

Radon gas usually exists at very low levels outdoors, however, in homes radon can accumulate to levels that substantially increase the risk of lung cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that one in fifteen homes in the United States has high levels of radon and should be fixed.


Radon's Link to Cancer

Radon decays quickly, giving off tiny radioactive particles. When inhaled, these radioactive particles can damage the cells that line the lungs. Radon was identified in the 1970's as a health problem when scientists noted that underground miners who were exposed to radon died of lung cancer at an alarming rate.

Results of minor studies combined with many residential studies have shown scientists that radon is a cause of lung cancer. Scientists estimate that 15,000 to 22,000 deaths caused by cancer each year are related to radon.



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