what is radon

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. It is produced from the natural radioactive decay of uranium, which is found in all rocks and soils. Radon can get into homes and buildings through small cracks or holes and build up in the air. Breathing in high levels of radon over time increases the risk of lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after smoking. Radon exposure is particularly dangerous for people who smoke, as they have a 10 times greater risk of developing lung cancer from radon exposure compared with non-smokers. Radon problems can be fixed using an underground ventilation system or by increasing the rate of air changes in the building. The EPA estimates that radon causes 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States.