Radon Information
Additional Information about radon testing
The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Surgeon General of the United States have recommended that all houses should be tested for radon. The following information, obtained from the EPA website, is presented so that you will know why the EPA and Surgeon General recommend radon testing. It also is presented so that you will be able to make an informed decision as to whether or not to have your potential home tested for radon.
radon Facts
- Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from radioactive decay of uranium in soil, rock, and groundwater
- Radon enters homes primarily through the soil under the structure
- Radon can be a problem in all types of homes – old homes, new homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with basements and homes without basements
- High radon levels have been found in every state and radon levels can vary from home to home within a neighborhood
- Nearly one in 15 American homes has a high level of indoor radon
- Radon is the largest source of radiation exposure and risk to the general public
- Radon is a Class A carcinogen
- Radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer, smoking being number one
- Radon causes approximately 21,000 American deaths per year, according to the EPA estimate
- Smokers are at higher risk of developing radon-induced lung cancer than non-smokers
- There are no immediate symptoms of radon-induced lung cancer, with cancer usually occurring 5-25 years after exposure
- Radon is colorless, odorless and tasteless
- Radon can be detected only through a radon test
- Radon concentrations above the EPA-recommended action level of 4.0 pCi/L can be fixed
Additional information is available through the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) at www.aarst.org or on the EPA website: www.epa.gov/iaq/radon
Links for more information
*This document was prepared by the American Radon Policy Coalition (ARPC), a national not-for-profit organization whose sole mission is to enforce, strengthen, and shape public policy for the prevention of lung cancer caused by needless indoor radon exposure.