Radon is a naturally occurring is a colorless, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas. It is formed from the radioactive decay of uranium which is found in most rocks. soil and water. High levels of uranium are found in granite, phosphate, shale and pitchblende. It slowly breaks down to other products such as radium, which breaks down to radon.

Radon also undergoes radioactive decay. It divides into two parts, one part is called radiation, and the other part is called a daughter. The daughter, like radon, is not stable, and it also divides into radiation and another daughter. The dividing of daughters continues until a stable, non-radioactive daughter is formed. During the decay process, alpha, beta, and gamma radiation is released. Alpha particles can travel only a short distance and cannot travel through your skin. Beta particles can penetrate through your skin, but they cannot go all the way through your body. Gamma radiation can go all the way through your body.

High levels of radon in the soil are primarily responsible for radon problems. Radon can get into any type of building and result in a high indoor level. Air pressure inside is usually lower than pressure in the soil around the foundation.  Because of this difference in pressure, the building acts like a vacuum and the radon gas percolates up through the soil and enters through gaps and cracks in the foundation or through pipe, sump, drain, wall or other openings. You and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home, where you spend most of your time. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem, new, old, well-sealed, drafty, and homes with or without basements.

Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As they break down further, these particles release small bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer.

Your chances of getting lung cancer from radon depend mostly on:

• How much radon is in your home
• The amount of time you spend in your home
• Whether you are a smoker or have ever smoked

Radon Risk If You Smoke

Radon Risk If You've 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 person 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 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.

 

EPA estimates that radon causes thousands of cancer deaths in the U.S. each year.

* Radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year, according to "EPA's 2003 Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes".  The numbers of deaths from other causes are taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Report and 2002 National Safety Council Reports