How do people who have never smoked develop lung cancer? The Hidden Danger of Radon in Your Home

Most people know smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. But many are surprised to learn that thousands of people who have never smoked are diagnosed every year. So what causes it?

One answer may be something inside the very home where they believed they were safest.

It’s called radon.

Imagine someone told you there was a gas in your home that could increase your family’s risk of developing lung cancer.

You cannot see it.

You cannot smell it.

You cannot taste it.

You would never know it was there unless you specifically tested for it.

Would you want to know?

For many homeowners, the answer is yes. Yet millions of homes across the United States have never been tested for radon.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause among people who have never smoked. The EPA estimates that radon contributes to approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year.

The good news is that finding out whether your home has elevated radon levels is simple, and if elevated levels are found, they can usually be reduced with a professionally installed mitigation system.

What Is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms as uranium slowly breaks down in soil and rock beneath the ground.

As the gas rises through the soil, it looks for the easiest path to escape. If a home sits above it, radon can enter through small openings where the house meets the ground, including foundation cracks, gaps around pipes, sump pits, crawl spaces, and other small openings that most homeowners never notice.

Once inside, the gas can accumulate, particularly in lower levels of the home.

Radon does not mean there is something wrong with your home. It is a naturally occurring environmental condition that can affect homes of every age, size, price range, and style.

Why Does Radon Increase the Risk of Lung Cancer?

To understand why radon is a concern, it helps to understand what happens after you breathe it.

As radon breaks down, it releases tiny radioactive particles into the air. When those particles are inhaled, some can become trapped in your lungs.

Over many years, those particles may damage lung tissue. As that damage accumulates, the risk of lung cancer increases.

Unlike the flu or a cold, radon exposure does not make you feel sick right away.

There is no cough that tells you radon is present.

There is no headache that serves as a warning.

There are no immediate symptoms at all.

That is why radon is often called a silent health hazard.

Does Every Home Need to Be Tested?

Yes.

One of the biggest misconceptions about radon is that it only affects older homes or homes with basements.

In reality, elevated radon levels have been found in:

• New homes

• Older homes

• Homes with basements

• Homes built on slabs

• Crawl space homes

• Large custom homes

• Smaller starter homes

  
  

Even two homes next door to one another can have very different radon levels because soil conditions and construction details are never exactly the same.

Your neighbor’s test results cannot tell you what your home’s radon level is.

Only testing your own home can do that.

What Do Federal and State Agencies Recommend?

The EPA recommends that every home be tested for radon.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also encourages homeowners to test because there is no way to know whether radon is present without measuring it.

Here in Maryland, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) recommends radon testing and licenses radon measurement and mitigation professionals to help ensure homeowners receive accurate testing and properly installed mitigation systems.

Testing is especially recommended when:

• Purchasing a home.

• Selling a home.

• A home has never been tested.

• Finishing a basement.

• Completing major renovations.

• Installing a radon mitigation system, to verify that it is working properly.

  
  

Understanding Radon Test Results

Radon is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L).

The EPA recommends taking action if the average radon level is 4.0 pCi/L or higher.

It is also important to understand that there is no known completely safe level of radon exposure. The risk of lung cancer increases as radon levels increase.

Think of it like sun exposure.

Spending one hour in the sun is generally less risky than spending ten hours in the sun without protection. The longer the exposure, the greater the potential risk.

Radon works in a similar way. Reducing your long term exposure reduces your overall risk.

What Happens If My Radon Level Is High?

Finding elevated radon levels does not mean you need to move.

In most cases, a qualified radon mitigation contractor can install a system that safely redirects radon from beneath the home to the outside before it enters the living space.

These systems are proven, reliable, and often reduce radon levels dramatically.

After installation, the home should always be retested to confirm the system is performing as intended.

Why Professional Testing Matters

While do it yourself radon test kits are available, professional testing offers several advantages.

Professional monitors are calibrated, continuously record radon levels throughout the testing period, and help ensure testing follows established industry protocols. During a real estate transaction, professional testing also provides buyers and sellers with documented results that can help support informed decisions.

A Simple Test That Can Protect Your Family

Most people would never ignore a smoke alarm or a carbon monoxide detector.

Radon deserves the same attention, even though it cannot be seen.

Testing takes only a few days, does not disrupt your daily routine, and provides valuable information about the air your family breathes every day.

Whether the results are low or elevated, you gain something important: knowledge.

If your levels are low, you have peace of mind.

If your levels are elevated, you have the opportunity to address the problem before years of unnecessary exposure occur.

Either way, testing is a simple step that can help protect your family’s long term health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I detect radon without testing?

No. Radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Testing is the only way to know whether it is present.

How often should I test my home?

The EPA recommends every home be tested at least once. Additional testing is recommended after major renovations, after installing a mitigation system, or if the home’s lower level living spaces change.

Does a standard home inspection include radon testing?

No. Radon testing is typically an additional service that should be scheduled at the same time as the home inspection.

If my neighbor’s home tested low, do I still need to test mine?

Yes. Radon levels can vary significantly from one property to another, even between neighboring homes.