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The most common source of indoor radon is uranium in the
soil or rock on which homes are built. Uranium naturally
breaks down, it releases radon gas which is a colorless,
odorless, radioactive gas. Radon gas enters homes through dirt
floors, cracks in concrete walls and floors, floor drains, and
sumps. When radon becomes trapped in buildings and
concentrations build up indoors, exposure to radon becomes a
concern. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and
old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or
without basements.
The predominant health effect associated with exposure to
elevated levels of radon is lung cancer. Major health
organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, the American Lung Association, and the American
Medical Association agree with estimates that radon causes
thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths each year. If you
smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung
cancer is especially high.
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Healthy Homes
