Radon will not cause any immediate health issues. However, studies have shown that long term exposure to high levels of radon may greatly increase in the risk of developing lung cancer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to radon is the second leading cause for lung cancer after smoking. Radon is the most common cause of lung cancer in never-smokers. Radon exposure may contribute to more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States each year.

The lung cancer risk increases with the radon level and the duration (years) of exposure. Current and ex-smokers are at greater risk than never smokers. In most homes, the radon level will be highest in the lowest level of the house. People who live and sleep in the lowest parts of their home are at higher risk. To lower your risk:

• Quit smoking
• Test your home – it’s the only way to know if your home has a problem
• Install a radon mitigation system if radon levels exceed the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/l
• Seal up any obvious openings in your foundation that may allow radon gas to enter
• Improve the ventilation of your home and crawl space
• Install HVAC air filters with a MERV rating of 8 or higher
• Talk to your healthcare provider for questions about lung cancer screening

• Radon data (based mostly on surface geology) can be viewed at 1994 EPA Radon Risk Map for Virginia
• More current radon data (based on residential test results in Virginia)