Health Risks of Radon
Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Next to smoking, radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Each year alone, radon is responsible for approximately 21,000 deaths. Compare this to second-hand smoke which is responsible for an estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths every year i. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) most radon-induced lung cancers occur from low and medium dose exposures in people's homes.
Radon exposure can be a serious problem in Minnesota, where the entire state is located in areas evaluated to have the highest or second-highest risk of radon by the EPA ii. While Minnesota requires radon mitigation when constructing new single family homes, there is no requirement regarding existing homes.
There is ongoing discussion about what radon exposure level is safe. All experts agree that levels above 4 pC/l are unsafe, and many recommend mitigating levels between 2 pC/l and 4 pC/l.
What you can do
Test: Everyone should test their home or apartment for radon in rooms that are at or below ground level and regularly used. For example, test the basement family room, the first floor rooms over a crawl space, and any garden-level apartment.
Spread the word: National Radon Action Month provides a great opportunity to encourage others to learn about radon and test their homes.
Plan an activity: Use EPA’s National Radon Action Month Event Planning Kit as a guide.
Other resources
- Contact your state radon program for more information about local radon activities.
- Details on how to perform radon testing.
- EPA’s Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon.
JourneyWell partnered with the Minnesota Green Communities initiative to develop this online article.
i Environmental Protection Agency. Online. January 7, 2011.
ii Environmental Protection Agency (Minnesota). Online. January 7, 2011.