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Is radon gas a myth?

By Radon411 Editorial TeamUpdated How we research

Short answer

No: radon is a real, measurable radioactive gas, and the Surgeon General has warned that it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States; DHHS, the International Agency for Research on Cancer and EPA consider it a human carcinogen. A simple home test shows whether your own air has a problem.

Next step: a test is the only way to know your home's level. How to test your home

The evidence runs from uranium miners, where an increased rate of lung cancer was first seen, to studies in Europe, North America and China confirming that even levels common in homes pose health risks. EPA estimates radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths a year and is the number one cause among non-smokers.

Some scientists dispute the precise number of deaths, but all major health organizations agree radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths every year. It is easy to doubt because you can't see, smell or taste it, and the disease appears many years after exposure.

You can check your own home: radon testing is easy, and the result is a number you can read yourself. A home with a high level can be fixed, usually for about the same cost as other common home repairs.

What to do next: test the lowest lived-in level of your home and read the result with the interpreter.

Radon is real and measurable

Radon is not a myth. It is a naturally occurring, radioactive, noble gas that is odorless, colorless and tasteless, and a simple test measures it in any home. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and DHHS, the International Agency for Research on Cancer and EPA consider it a human carcinogen.

The evidence in brief
FindingWhat it shows
Uranium minersAn increased rate of lung cancer was first seen in miners exposed to very high radon concentrations
Residential studiesStudies in Europe, North America and China confirmed that even levels common in homes pose health risks
U.S. estimateAbout 21,000 lung cancer deaths a year, by EPA's estimate
Non-smokersThe number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, by EPA's estimate

Common radon myths and the facts

Radon myths and facts
MythFact
Scientists aren't sure radon is a problemSome dispute the precise number of deaths, but all major health organizations agree radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths a year
Testing is difficult and expensiveTesting is easy; you can test yourself or hire a qualified tester
Homes with radon can't be fixedThere are simple solutions, and hundreds of thousands of homeowners have fixed radon problems
Radon only affects certain homesRadon can be a problem in homes of all types
Radon is only a problem in some areasHigh radon levels have been found in every state
A neighbor's result tells you yoursRadon levels can vary greatly from home to home
Homes with radon are hard to sellWhere radon problems have been fixed, sales have not been blocked or frustrated
After many years, it is too late to actYou reduce your risk when you reduce radon levels, even after a long time

Why radon is easy to doubt

You can't see radon, and you can't smell it or taste it. Many homes test low. The disease it contributes to appears many years after exposure, and not everyone exposed to elevated radon will develop lung cancer. None of that makes it less real; it makes it easy to overlook.

Check it in your own home

You do not have to take anyone's word for your own home. Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk, and it takes only a small amount of time and effort. The result is a number in that you can read yourself.

Table comparing a short-term radon test, a long-term radon test and a continuous radon monitor: how long each runs and what each is for.
Read this figure as text
TestHow long it runsWhat it is for
Short-term testStays in the home from 2 to 90 days, depending on the device, and for a minimum of 48 hours.A faster screening result. Because radon levels vary from day to day and season to season, it is less likely than a long-term test to tell you the year-round average.
Long-term testStays in the home for more than 90 days.It is more likely than a short-term test to tell you the home's year-round average radon level.
Continuous monitorLogs readings for the whole test, run as a short-term or a long-term test under the same durations in EPA guidance.Logs a graph over time, so you can see trends and spot anomalies rather than a single number.
Short-term, long-term and continuous tests: how long each runs and what it tells you.

See how to test for radon.

Not a myth, and not a panic

Radon is a real risk that depends on the level and the length of exposure, and a home with a high level can be fixed. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs, and hundreds of thousands of homeowners have already fixed radon problems in their homes.

Questions about whether radon is real

Is radon a hoax?

No. Radon is a measurable radioactive gas, and it is considered a human carcinogen by DHHS, the International Agency for Research on Cancer and EPA.

Is radon overblown?

Some scientists dispute the precise number of deaths, but all major health organizations agree radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths every year.

Is radon testing a scam?

Testing measures a real gas. Radon testing is easy, and you can test your home yourself and read the number.

Why haven't I heard of anyone getting sick from radon?

Lung cancer from radon appears many years after exposure, and not everyone exposed to elevated radon develops it.

Does radon only matter for smokers?

No. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, by EPA's estimate, though the risk to smokers is much greater.

Can homes with radon be fixed?

Yes. There are simple solutions, and hundreds of thousands of homeowners have already fixed radon problems in their homes.

Is radon only found in certain parts of the country?

No. High radon levels have been found in every state.

Should I test my water first?

No. It is important to first test the air in the home for radon.

Learn

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