Radon is a known carcinogen. Humans breathe in Radon gas all the time. However, breathing in higher levels for long periods of time can lead to lung cancer. According to the MA Department of Public Health, Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you are exposed to elevated levels of radon and, especially if you smoke, your risk increases further.
Not everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon will develop cancer, however the risk increases as the exposure increases. Radon can occur in ANY home, old or new. Radon is a radioactive gas produced when uranium, thorium and radium break down naturally in rocks, soils, and groundwater. The gas is drawn up from the ground to indoor spaces through cracks and seams in basements and crawl spaces, sump pumps and floor drains. Radon can also be found in water from underground sources, such as a private well. It’s odorless, colorless, and tasteless. There’s simply no way to know it’s there unless you test for it.
The MA Department of Public Health Indoor Air Quality Program has found that higher than normal radon levels can . . . read more here
