Smoking vs Radon

 

RADON RISK IF YOU SMOKE

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 135 people could get lung cancer

100 times the risk of drowning

Fix your home

10 pCi/l

About 71 people could get lung cancer

100 times the risk of dying in a home fire

Fix your home

8 pCi/l

About 57 people could get lung cancer

Fix your home

4 pCi/l

About 29 people could get lung cancer

100 times the risk of dying in a car crash

Consider fixing your home

2 pCi/l

About 15 people could get lung cancer

2 times the risk of dying in a car crash

Consider fixing your home

1.3 pCi/l

About 9 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.

RADON RISK IF YOU HAVE 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 8 people could get lung cancer

The risk of being killed in a violent crime

Fix your home

10 pCi/l

About 4 people could get lung cancer

Fix your home

8 pCi/l

About 3 people could get lung cancer

10 times the risk of dying in an airplane crash

Fix your home

4 pCi/l

About 2 people could get lung cancer

The risk of drowning

Consider fixing your home

2 pCi/l

About 1 person could get lung cancer

The risk of dying in a home fire

Consider fixing your home

1.3 pCi/l

Less than 1 person could get lung cancer

Average indoor radon level

Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/l is difficult

0.4 pCi/l

Less than 1 person could get lung cancer

Average outdoor radon level

Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be higher.

Source: “Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon” booklet published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, March 1993.