According to the EPA, in an assessment of risks from radon in homes conducted in 2003, they found that radon causes 21,000 deaths in the U.S. annually. For perspective, drunk driving causes about 3,600 fewer fatalities every year. Radon is a gas that seeps up from the ground into homes and commercial buildings. Many people breathe this odorless and invisible carcinogen without ever knowing that they are exposing themselves to one of the top causes of lung cancer. Smoking greatly increases the risk of developing lung cancer when coupled with radon exposure. The chart pictured below depicts this increased risk.
Radon Risks If You Smoke
| Radon Level |
If 1,000 people who smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime*... |
The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**... |
WHAT TO DO: |
| 20 pCi/L |
About 260 people could get lung cancer |
250 times the risk of drowning |
Fix your home |
| 10 pCi/L |
About 150 people could get lung cancer |
250 times the risk of drowning |
Fix your home |
| 8 pCi/L |
About 120 people could get lung cancer |
30 times the risk of dying in a fall |
Fix your home |
| 4 pCi/L |
About 62 people could get lung cancer |
5 times the risk of dying in a car crash |
Fix your home |
| 2 pCi/L |
About 32 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 20 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 indoor radon level) |
(Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult) |
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower.
* Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA402-R-03-003).
** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.
Radon Risks If You Have Never Smoked
| Radon Level |
If 1,000 people who never smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime*... |
The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**... |
WHAT TO DO: |
| 20 pCi/L |
About 36 people could get lung cancer |
35 times the risk of drowning |
Fix your home |
| 10 pCi/L |
About 18 people could get lung cancer |
20 times the risk of dying in a home fire |
Fix your home |
| 8 pCi/L |
About 15 people could get lung cancer |
4 times the risk of dying in a fall |
Fix your home |
| 4 pCi/L |
About 7 people could get lung cancer |
The risk of dying in a car crash |
Fix your home |
| 2 pCi/L |
About 4 people could get lung cancer |
The risk of dying from poison |
Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L |
| 1.3 pCi/L |
About 2 people could get lung cancer |
(Average indoor radon level) |
(Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult) |
| 0.4 pCi/L |
|
(Average indoor radon level) |
(Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult) |
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be higher.
* Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA402-R-03-003).
** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.
