Radon (Rn) - Reference Guide to Major Indoor Air Quality Pollutants in the Home

In this series, we'll detail the sources, health effects, levels in the home, and steps to reduce exposure to the 11 major indoor air quality pollutants in the home.

Radon (Rn)

Sources

Earth and rock beneath home; well water; building materials.

Health Effects

No immediate symptoms. Estimated to contribute to between 7,000 and 30,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Smokers are at higher risk of developing radon-induced lung cancer.

Levels in Homes

Based on a national residential radon survey completed in 1991, the average indoor radon level is 1.3 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The average outdoor level is about 0.4 pCi/L.

Steps to Reduce Exposure:

• Test your home for radon_it's easy and inexpensive.
• Fix your home if your radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher.
• Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk, and in many cases may be reduced.
• If you want more information on radon, contact your state radon office, or call 800-SOS-RADON. 

Next in this series... Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS)

*Content provided by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency. CPSC Document #450. This document is public domain.*