Radon is one of the major causes of lung cancer.
Smoking
combined with radon is especially serious, multiplying your health risk by
about 16 times.
In
Ohio, there are about 7,700 new lung cancer cases each year. Radon is suspected
of causing at least
900 of them.
The
risk of dying from lung cancer caused by radon is higher than the risk of
dying in a fire.
The tables below show the risk to smokers versus people who have never smoked. |
RADON RISK IF YOU SMOKE
Radon Level (pCi/l)
If 1,000 people who smoked
were exposed to this level over a lifetime*...The risk of cancer from radon
exposure compares to**...WHAT TO DO: Stop smoking and...
20 About 260 people could get lung cancer
250 times the risk of drowning
Fix your home 10 About 150 people could get lung cancer
200 times the risk of dying in a home fire
Fix your home 8 About 120 people could get lung cancer
30 times the risk of dying in a fall
Fix your home 4 About 62 people could get lung cancer
5 times the risk of dying in a car crash
Fix your home 2 About 32 people could get lung cancer
6 times the risk of dying from poison
Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/l
1.3 About 20 people could get lung cancer
(Average indoor radon level) (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/l is difficult)
0.4 About 3 people could get lung cancer
(Average outdoor radon level)
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower.
pCi/L (pico Curies per Liter)
* Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003).
** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.
Radon Level (pCi/l)
If 1,000 people who smoked
were exposed to this level over a lifetime*...The risk of cancer from radon
exposure compares to**...WHAT TO DO:
20 About 36 people could get lung cancer
35 times the risk of drowning Fix your home 10 About 18 people could get lung cancer
20 times the risk of dying in a home fire Fix your home 8 About 15 people could get lung cancer
4 times the risk of dying in a fall Fix your home 4 About 7 people could get lung cancer
The risk of dying in a car crash Fix your home 2 About 4 people could get lung cancer
The risk of dying from poison Consider fixing home between 2 and 4 pCi/l 1.3 About 2 people could get lung cancer
(Average indoor radon level) (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/l is difficult)
0.4 (Average outdoor radon level) Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower.
pCi/L (pico Curies per Liter)
* Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003).
** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.
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