Understanding Radon Gas and Its Role as the Leading Cause of Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers
- Dr. Hansra
- 6 hours ago
- 5 min read
Radon gas is a silent threat lurking in many homes, yet few people understand its hidden dangers (Darby et al., 2007). It is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked, making it a serious health risk for families everywhere (Eidy et al., 2025). This post explains what radon is, how it enters our environment, and why testing your home is essential to protect your loved ones.
What Is Radon Gas?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium and radium in soil, rock, and water (Center for Disease Control 2024). It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, which makes it impossible to detect without specialized equipment. Radon can seep through cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, and other openings in buildings, accumulating to dangerous levels indoors (Center for Disease Control 2024).
Because radon is invisible and undetectable by human senses, many people remain unaware of its presence in their homes. The gas decays into radioactive particles that, when inhaled, damage lung tissue and increase the risk of lung cancer.
How Radon Causes Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers
Lung cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide (Cao et al., 2020). Worldwide smoking is the main cause in 2/3 of cases with the remaining 1/3 due to other risk factors (Sung et al., 2021). Lung cancer is often associated with smoking, but radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer overall and the top cause among non-smokers (Eidy et al., 2025). According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon exposure causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the United States alone (Lorenzo-Gonzalez et al., 2019).
When radon gas is inhaled, its radioactive particles can lodge in the lungs and emit harmful alpha particles that over time damages lung cells, leading to mutations that can develop into cancer (Kang et al., 2019). The risk increases with higher radon levels and longer exposure periods. Of major concern radon from household exposure has been shown to be a risk factor the development of lung cancer (Lorenzo-Gonzalez et al., 2020).
Where Radon Is Found in the Environment
Radon is present everywhere because uranium and radium are naturally found in the earth’s crust. However, radon levels vary widely depending on local geology, soil composition, and building construction.
Soil and rock: Radon gas escapes from uranium-rich soil and rock beneath homes.
Water: Radon can dissolve in groundwater and enter homes through well water.
Building materials: Some materials like concrete and bricks may release small amounts of radon.
Indoor air: Radon accumulates indoors, especially in basements and lower floors where ventilation is limited.
Homes built on soil with high uranium content or with poor ventilation are more likely to have elevated radon levels. Cold climates can also increase radon buildup because homes are sealed tightly to conserve heat.
Why Testing Your Home for Radon Is Crucial
Since radon cannot be seen or smelled, testing is the only way to know if your home has dangerous levels. The EPA recommends testing all homes, schools, and businesses at the lowest level suitable for living (EPA 2025).
Testing kits are affordable and easy to use. You simply place the kit in the lowest lived-in area of your home, follow instructions, and send it to a lab for analysis.
Radon testing kits are widely available:
Contact your state Radon Program: EPA Map of Radon Zones and Supplemental Information | US EPA
Available at major retailers like Home Depot or Lowe's
Available online at Amazon or other websites
What to Do If Your Home Has High Radon Levels
If testing reveals radon levels above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), the EPA advises taking action to reduce it (CDC, EPA 2025). Common radon reduction methods include:
Improving ventilation: Increasing airflow to dilute radon concentration.
Sealing cracks: Closing gaps in floors and walls to block radon entry.
Installing a radon mitigation system: Specialized systems use pipes and fans to vent radon outside.
Hire a professional for a professional radon mitigation can reduce radon levels by up to 99%, making your home safer for your family.
Contact the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) Home - NRPP or contact (828) 348-0185 or Email: National Radon Proficiency Program (info@nrpp.info)
Contact the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) Home | National Radon Safety Board or contact (914) 345-1168 or Email: National Radon Safety Board (info@NRSB.org)
Protecting Your Family from Radon Exposure
Radon exposure is preventable. Testing your home is the first step to protecting your family’s health. Here are practical tips:
Buy a home radon testing kit and test your living spaces regularly.
Test after home renovations or changes to heating and ventilation systems.
If you rent, ask your landlord about radon testing and mitigation.
Educate family members about radon risks and encourage testing in new homes.
Ask your supervisor in your workplace about radon levels.
Taking these steps can reduce the risk of lung cancer caused by radon and provide peace of mind.
Radon gas is a hidden health hazard that affects millions of homes. It is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and a serious risk for all families. Testing your home with a radon kit is simple, affordable, and essential for safety. If high levels are found, effective solutions exist to lower radon and protect your loved ones. Don’t wait—get a radon test kit today and take control of your home’s air quality. Your family’s health depends on it.
References:
Cao W, Chen HD, Yu YW, Li N, Chen WQ. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. Chin Med J 2021; 7:783–791.
Center for Disease Control. Radon and Your Health. Radon and Your Health | Radon | CDC Accesed 02/19/2026.
Darby S, Hill D, Deo H, Auvinen A, Barros-Dios JM, Baysson H, Bochicchio F, Falk R, Farchi S, Figueiras A, Hakama M, Heid I, Hunter N, Kreienbrock L, Kreuzer M, Lagarde F, Mäkeläinen I, Muirhead C, Oberaigner W, Pershagen G, Ruosteenoja E, Rosario AS, Tirmarche M, Tomásek L, Whitley E, Wichmann HE, Doll R. Residential radon and lung cancer--detailed results of a collaborative analysis of individual data on 7148 persons with lung cancer and 14,208 persons without lung cancer from 13 epidemiologic studies in Europe. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2006;32 Suppl 1:1-83. Erratum in: Scand J Work Environ Health. 2007 Feb;33(1):80.
Eidy M, Regina AC, Tishkowski K. Radon Toxicity. 2024 Jan 26. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–.
Kang JK, Seo S, Jin YW. Health Effects of Radon Exposure. Yonsei Med J. 2019 Jul;60(7):597-603. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2019.60.7.597.
Lorenzo-González M, Torres-Durán M, Barbosa-Lorenzo R, Provencio-Pulla M, Barros-Dios JM, Ruano-Ravina A. Radon exposure: a major cause of lung cancer. Expert Rev Respir Med. 2019 Sep;13(9):839-850.
Lorenzo-Gonzalez M, Ruano-Ravina A, Torres-Duran M, Kelsey KT, Provencio M, Parente-Lamelas I, Piñeiro-Lamas M, Varela-Lema L, Perez-Rios M, Fernandez-Villar A, Barros-Dios JM. Lung cancer risk and residential radon exposure: A pooling of case-control studies in northwestern Spain. Environ Res. 2020 Oct;189:109968.
Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, Laversanne M, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A, Bray F. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021 May;71(3):209-249.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Radon in Homes, Schools, and Buildings. Radon in Homes, Schools and Buildings | US EPA. Acessed 02/20/26.
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