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# Radon Exposure and Lung Cancer
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/radon_exposure_and_lung_cancer_0119120813/
- Published: 2012-01-19T21:10:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T13:29:29.000Z
- Description: About 1 in 15 American homes has elevated radon, a colorless, odorless gas from decaying uranium in soil and water. It is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and blamed for an estimated 20,000 US deaths a year. January is Radon Action Month.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Environment, Health News, #vivvo-import

# About 1 out of every 15 American homes contains elevated levels of radon. This colorless, odorless gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. To learn how to test for radon, visit the FAQ at USA.gov.

# Radon Exposure and Lung Cancer

Radon is a contaminant that impacts [indoor air quality](http://answers.usa.gov/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1000&PARTITION%5FID=1&CMD=VIEW%5FARTICLE&USERTYPE=1&LANGUAGE=en&COUNTRY=US&ARTICLE%5FID=10574&ref=foodconsumer.org) worldwide. It is an odorless, tasteless, and invisible gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water. Radon gas can accumulate in homes, buildings and drinking water, and cause lung cancer. It is responsible for an estimated 20,000 deaths per year in the United States. Lung cancer is the only known effect on human health from exposure to radon in the air. So far, there is no evidence that children are at greater risk of lung cancer than are adults.

The [Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)](http://answers.usa.gov/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1000&PARTITION%5FID=1&CMD=VIEW%5FARTICLE&USERTYPE=1&LANGUAGE=en&COUNTRY=US&ARTICLE%5FID=9777&ref=foodconsumer.org) works with communities interested in increasing public understanding of radon. For more information, please visit the EPA's [radon website](http://www.epa.gov/radon/?ref=foodconsumer.org).

You may also wish to view information on how to [have your home tested for or protected against radon](http://www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html?ref=foodconsumer.org).

January is [National Radon Action Month](http://www.epa.gov/radon/nram/?ref=foodconsumer.org), designated to educate citizens about the national effort to take action against radon.

**Additional Resources:**

- [State Radon Contact Information](http://www.epa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.html?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [A Citizen's Guide to Radon](http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html?ref=foodconsumer.org#howdoes)
- [Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction](http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Cancer](http://answers.usa.gov/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1000&PARTITION%5FID=1&CMD=VIEW%5FARTICLE&USERTYPE=1&LANGUAGE=en&COUNTRY=US&ARTICLE%5FID=11154&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Skin Cancer](http://answers.usa.gov/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1000&PARTITION%5FID=1&CMD=VIEW%5FARTICLE&USERTYPE=1&LANGUAGE=en&COUNTRY=US&ARTICLE%5FID=11075&ref=foodconsumer.org)

The short link for this FAQ is http://1.usa.gov/pt5BvK