Radon

Leading Cause of Lung Cancer for Non-Smokers

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You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. Radon, a Class A carcinogen, is the second cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths a year (one every 25 minutes).  In Florida, one in five homes tested has elevated radon levels above the  action level of 4 pCi/L. Elevated radon levels have been found in all types of buildings, including manufactured homes, schools and high-rise condominiums.

Radon comes from the radioactive breakdown of naturally occurring radium found in most soils. As a gas in the soil, it enters buildings through small openings in the foundation. Since the building can hold the radon similarly to smoke trapped under a glass, indoor radon concentrations can increase to many times that of outdoor levels. The only way to know the radon levels in your home is to test. Contact us: 1-800-543-8279 - email radonreports@flhealth.gov

Radon Facts:

• Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
• Did you know 1 in 5 homes in Florida has an elevated radon level?
• Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, colorless, tasteless, and radioactive gas produced from the radioactive decay of radium, found in most soils and earthen construction materials.
• Radon is the single largest source of radiation exposure in the U.S.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the U.S. (about one person every 25 minutes).
• U.S. Surgeon General recommends all houses be tested for radon.
• For more information visit our webpage at radon.floridahealth.gov