The Risks of Radon Exposure
In the United States, cancer is the second leading cause of death after heart disease and more people die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer. After smoking, radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer.
According to the New York Times, “Lung cancer is the deadliest type of cancer for both men and women. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined. ”
Radon in Perspective:
SOURCE: US. EPA
Scientists estimate that approximately 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths per year are related to radon. Recent research has focused on specifying the effect of residential radon on lung cancer risk. In these studies, scientists measure radon levels in the homes of people who have lung cancer and compare them to the levels of radon in the homes of people who have not developed lung cancer.
Many of these studies have demonstrated an association between residential exposure to radon and lung cancer, but this finding has not been observed in all studies. The inconsistencies between studies are due in part to the small size of some studies, the varying levels of radon in many homes, and the difficulty of measuring a person’s exposure to radon over time.
Resources
National Cancer Institute - Radon and Cancer
US EPA - Radon Health Risks - The Facts
US EPA - A Citizen's Guide to Radon |
