RADON POISONING
The Silent Gas
What is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell or taste.
Radon is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. Uranium is found in soils worldwide, with some areas having higher concentrations than others.
Did you know?
Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, second to cigarette smoking.
How does radon cause cancer?
Radon breaks down into solid particles known as radon decay products. The decay products can become trapped in the lungs when inhaled and damage lung tissue by releasing radiation.
Over time, exposure to high levels of radon increases a person’s risk of developing lung cancer. This risk is greatly increased for smokers.
How does radon enter a home?
The major source of radon in a home is the ground beneath it. Radon moves up through soil and enters through cracks and holes in the foundation.
Radon gas can become trapped inside a home and raise to high levels. Any home can have a radon problem: new, old, well-insulated, drafty, with or without a basement.
If you have high radon levels and your water supply comes from a private well, test your water for radon. Showering, washing dishes and laundering can release gas into the air. The only way to know if you have high levels of radon in your private well water is to test for it.
Did you know?
Radon levels in your home can vary from your neighbor’s?
Radon can be found in homes with all types of construction, including slab-on-grade foundations, crawlspaces and basements.
