Zone 1 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) (red zones) | Highest Potential | |
Zone 2 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (orange zones) | Moderate Potential | |
Zone 3 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L (yellow zones) | Low Potential |
Unless you're a homeowner, you may not be thinking about Radon. However, I've recently done some research on this topic for personal reasons (I'll let you guess), and here are some interesting findings:
- Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
- According to the EPA, "Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk, and in many cases may be reduced." (see the chart below)
- The EPA recommends building new homes with radon-resistant features in high radon potential (Zone 1) areas.
- Even at levels of 2, there is an increased risk of cancer and the EPA suggests that you should "Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L" (see the chart below)
The chart below is from this EPA Radon site:
Radon Level | If 1,000 people who smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime*... | The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**... | WHAT TO DO: Stop smoking and... |
---|---|---|---|
20 pCi/L | About 260 people could get lung cancer | 250 times the risk of drowning | Fix your home |
10 pCi/L | About 150 people could get lung cancer | 200 times the risk of dying in a home fire | Fix your home |
8 pCi/L | About 120 people could get lung cancer | 30 times the risk of dying in a fall | Fix your home |
4 pCi/L | About 62 people could get lung cancer | 5 times the risk of dying in a car crash | Fix your home |
2 pCi/L | About 32 people could get lung cancer | 6 times the risk of dying from poison | Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L |
1.3 pCi/L | About 20 people could get lung cancer | (Average indoor radon level) | (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.) |
0.4 pCi/L | About 3 people could get lung cancer | (Average outdoor radon level) | |
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower. * Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). ** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports. |
Radon Risk If You've Never Smoked
Radon Level | If 1,000 people who never smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime*... | The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**... | WHAT TO DO: |
---|---|---|---|
20 pCi/L | About 36 people could get lung cancer | 35 times the risk of drowning | Fix your home |
10 pCi/L | About 18 people could get lung cancer | 20 times the risk of dying in a home fire | Fix your home |
8 pCi/L | About 15 people could get lung cancer | 4 times the risk of dying in a fall | Fix your home |
4 pCi/L | About 7 people could get lung cancer | The risk of dying in a car crash | Fix your home |
2 pCi/L | About 4 person could get lung cancer | The risk of dying from poison | Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L |
1.3 pCi/L | About 2 people could get lung cancer | (Average indoor radon level) | (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.) |
0.4 pCi/L | (Average outdoor radon level) | ||
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be higher. * Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). ** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports. |
So what's the bottom line? Radon causes cancer and you should do what you can to avoid exposure to it. Should the EPA lower the limit from 4 to something less? That depends on whether that would be a "cost-effective" public health decision for the government. How much are you willing to pay to mitigate your risk?
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