0. Why is radon a health problem?
Lesson 2
Why is radon a health problem?

1. Radon and lung cancer Annual deaths (1995) from lung cancer: 146,400
Why is radon a health problem?
Radon and lung cancer
Annual deaths (1995) from lung cancer: 146,400
Total radon-related deaths per year: 21,000 (14%)
Average years of life lost for radon-related lung cancer: 17
These figures represent the latest available statistics from the EPA.
See U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Fact Sheet: Updated Risk Assessment for Radon in Indoor Air,”
University of Connecticut 2006

2. How radon harms the lungs
Why is radon a health problem?
How radon harms the lungs
Radon decay products become trapped in the lungs
As these products decay, some release alpha radiation
Radiation damages lung tissue
University of Connecticut 2006

3. Lung cancer: a deadly disease
The leading cause of cancer death for men and women
6 out of 10 people with lung cancer die within 1 year of diagnosis
7-8 out of 10 die within 2 years of diagnosis
Cancer spreads from the lungs to other parts of the body

4. Cancer deaths from radon in tap water
Cause
Swallowing water that contains radon
Cause
Breathing radon released by water—as in showering or washing dishes
Total
168 cancer deaths per year related to radon in water

5. Relative risk: estimated deaths per year
Why is radon a health problem?
Relative risk: estimated deaths per year
Graphic: From U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, A Citizen’s Guide to Radon: The Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Radon (2004), p. 2.
University of Connecticut 2006

6. Radon concentrations in the air
Picocuries/liter (pCi/L)
Average outdoor
0.4
Average indoor
1.3
Consider fixing the home
2-4
Action level: fix the home
4 or above

7. EPA estimates
1 in 15 homes has a radon concentration at or above the action level of 4 pCi/L
Reducing radon in homes could reduce radon-related lung cancers by about 1/3

8. Radon risk for people who never smoked
Why is radon a health problem?
Radon risk for people who never smoked
Radon level
(pCi/L)
If 1,000 nonsmokers were exposed to this radon level, the number who could get lung cancer after lifetime exposure*
Lung cancer risk
equal to** 20 36
35 times the risk of dying by drowning 10 18
20 times the risk of dying in a home fire 8 15
4 times the risk of dying in a fall 4 7
The risk of dying in a car crash 2
The risk of dying from poison
Note: In this table, “nonsmokers” are people who have never smoked. Former smokers may have a higher risk.
The numbers of those who could get lung cancer are estimates.
*Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R ). **Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.
Source:
University of Connecticut 2006

9. Radon risk for smokers Radon level (pCi/L)
Why is radon a health problem?
Radon risk for smokers
Radon level (pCi/L)
If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level, the number who could get lung cancer after lifetime exposure*
Lung cancer risk
equal to** 20
260
250 times the risk of dying by drowning 10
150
200 times the risk of dying in a home fire 8
120
30 times the risk of dying in a fall 4 62
5 times the risk of dying in a car crash 2 32
6 times the risk of dying from poison
Note: In this table, “smokers” are people who currently smoke. Former smokers may have a lower risk.
The numbers of those who could get lung cancer are estimates.
*Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R ). **Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.
Source:
University of Connecticut 2006

10. Radon risk comparison Radon level (pCi/L) People who never smoked
Why is radon a health problem?
Radon risk comparison
Estimated number of people who could get lung cancer per 1,000 people exposed over a lifetime
Radon level (pCi/L)
People who
never smoked
smoke 20 36
260 10 18
150 8 15
120 4 7 62 2 32
1.3
0.4  - 3
Source:
University of Connecticut 2006

11. Surgeon General’s National Health Advisory
“Indoor radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families all over the country.
It’s important to know that this threat is completely preventable. Radon can be detected with a simple test and fixed through well-established venting techniques.”
January 2005

12. Summary Radon is known to cause lung cancer
Estimated radon-related deaths each year: 21,000
Reducing radon in homes could reduce radon-related lung cancers by about 1/3
EPA action level: 4pCi/L
When people breathe in radon and its decay products, radioactive particles get trapped in the lungs
As the particles decay, they damage lung tissue
With long-term exposure, damage increases risk of lung cancer

13. Summary Chances of developing lung cancer depend on
Amount of radon in the home
Length of exposure
Smoking
Smoking greatly increases the risk of developing lung cancer