Radon Health Effects

There have been no reports of short-term effects or symptoms caused by radon exposure. The only reported long-term effect of radon exposure is lung cancer. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. There are currently no conclusive data on whether children are at greater risk than adults from radon exposure. No specific subtype of lung cancer is associated with radon exposure. Scientists estimate that approximately 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths per year are related to radon exposure.

Radon is present in nearly all air. Everyone breathes in radon every day of the week, usually at very low levels. However, people who inhale high levels of radon are at an increased risk for developing lung cancer. Let me explain what happens when you breath high levels of radon. If you inhale a radon atom, the atom itself can disintegrate while it is in your lungs. When it disintegrates, it becomes polonium-218, which is a metal. This metal atom can get trapped in your lungs, and over the next hour or so it will emit a number of alpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays. It eventually turns into lead-210 with a half-life of 22 years, which is fairly stable in this context. But now you have an atom of lead in your system, which now causes its own problems. It's the quick, hour-long sequence of alpha, beta and gamma emissions that can lead to the mutations in the lung tissue, which can cause lung cancer over the course of your lifetime. Sounds interesting, huh?

Now, the risk of lung cancer from radon exposure increases enormously if you are a smoker. If you smoke tobacco and you are exposed to elevated radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. If you stop smoking now, you can lower your radon level which will reduce your lung cancer risk. Not everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon will develop lung cancer, and the amount of time between exposure and the onset of the disease may be many years down the road. Breathing radon gases does not cause any short-term noticeable health effects such as shortness of breath, coughing, headaches, or fever.

So, you can clearly see that a high concentration of radon gas in your home (despite the fact that it is completely natural), is not something anyone would want in their home or around their family.

WHAT IS THE "ACCEPTABLE" LEVEL OF RADON IN AIR?

4.0 pCi/L or LESS (According to the EPA)

HOW OFTEN IS INDOOR AIR A PROBLEM?

Nearly one out of every 15 homes in the United States has a radon level EPA considers to be elevated - 4 pCi/L or greater. Massachusetts radon statistics are even higher in some areas. The U.S. average radon-in-air level in single family homes is 1.3 pCi/L. Because the average person spends as much as 80 percent of their time indoors, indoor exposure to radon is an important concern.

Radon Risk Comparison Charts

Radon Risk If You Smoke

Radon Level	*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 pCi/L	About 260 people could get lung cancer	250 times the risk of drowning	Mitigate Building
10 pCi/L	About 150 people could get lung cancer	200 times the risk of dying in a home fire	Mitigate Building
8 pCi/L	About 120 people could get lung cancer	30 times the risk of dying in a fall	Mitigate Building
4 pCi/L	About 62 people could get lung cancer	5 times the risk of dying in a car crash	Mitigate Building
2 pCi/L	About 32 people could get lung cancer	6 times the risk of dying from poison	May consider mitigating between 2 and 4 pCi/L
1.3 pCi/L	About 20 people could get lung cancer	Average indoor radon level	Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.
0.4 pCi/L	About 3 people could get lung cancer	Average outdoor radon level	Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower. * 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 Risk If You've Never Smoked

Radon Level	*If 1,000 people who never smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime...**	The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to...**	WHAT TO DO:
20 pCi/L	About 36 people could get lung cancer	35 times the risk of drowning	Mitigate Building
10 pCi/L	About 18 people could get lung cancer	20 times the risk of dying in a home fire	Mitigate Building
8 pCi/L	About 15 people could get lung cancer	4 times the risk of dying in a fall	Mitigate Building
4 pCi/L	About 7 people could get lung cancer	The risk of dying in a car crash	Mitigate Building
2 pCi/L	About 4 people could get lung cancer	The risk of dying from poison	Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L
1.3 pCi/L	About 2 people could get lung cancer	(Average indoor radon level)	(Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.)
0.4 pCi/L		(Average outdoor radon level)	(Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.)
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be higher. * 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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Hi Dave,

I want to thank you for the home inspection you did for us at 144 Avis Ave. in Dracut MA. We did not get the house because the home owners did not want to split the cost of fixing that wall. I had gotten two estimates, one from a landscaper and one from a Mason. Both gave an estimate of $15,000.00, for which I am grateful for your inspection and pointing out the wall problem. It would of been an undue burden on us, not to mention I am also grateful about the radon testing also. I just got the results today and they came back at 7.5 and 8.4, so that would of been another expense. I do hope that when we find a new house that you will be able to do our home inspection. Your fee was a drop in the hat, to what it would of cost us to fix the wall and then the cost of venting the basement. My husband was also very impressed with your report and how well it was written. Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know what happened, and hopefully will be doing business with you again very soon.

Have a Good Day
Jackie Sliney