Radon and Health

What are your risks?


Radon has been found to be the second leading cause of lung cancer. Every year over 21,000 people die from radon caused lung cancer every year. With this being said they you have to consider your risks. Below you will find a chart of comparisons so you are able to see what your risks of getting radon related lung cancer. Keep in mind that the risks are greatly increased depending on if you smoke or not.

Radon Levelif 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:
Stop smoking and…
20 pCi/LAbout 260 people could get lung cancer250 times the risk of drowningFix your home
10 pCi/LAbout 150 people could get lung cancer200 times the risk of dying in a home fireFix your home
8 pCi/LAbout 120 people could get lung cancer30 times the risk of dying in a fallFix your home
4 pCi/LAbout 62 people could get lung cancer5 times the risk of dying in a car crashFix your home
2 pCi/LAbout 32 people could get lung cancer6 times the risk of dying from poisonConsider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L
1.3 pCi/LAbout 20 people could get lung cancer(Average indoor radon level)(Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.)
0.4 pCi/LAbout 3 people could get lung cancer(Average outdoor radon level)
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 (EPA 402-R-03-003).
** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Reports.


Radon Risk if You’ve Never Smoked

Radon Levelif 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/LAbout 36 people could get lung cancer35 times the risk of drowningFix your home
10 pCi/LAbout 18 people could get lung cancer20 times the risk of dying in a home fireFix your home
8 pCi/LAbout 15 people could get lung cancer4 times the risk of dying in a fallFix your home
4 pCi/LAbout 7 people could get lung cancerThe risk of dying in a car crashFix your home
2 pCi/LAbout 4 person could get lung cancerThe risk of dying from poisonConsider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L
1.3 pCi/LAbout 2 people could get lung cancer(Average indoor radon level)(Reducing radon levels below 
2 pCi/L is difficult.)
0.4 pCi/L (Average outdoor radon level)
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 (EPA 402-R-03-003).
** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Reports.
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