Radon Exposure Kills 21,000 Americans Each Year: EPA Warns

Second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. is radon gas, which Americans are primarily exposed to through their own homes.

During National Radon Action Month this January, federal officials are warning that radon falls behind only tobacco smoke as the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., resulting in 21,000 deaths each year.

Radon is a gas that is created by the decay of certain natural elements found in soil and rocks, including uranium, thorium and radium. It can be pose a risk in any type of home, by seeping in through floors or walls that touch the ground.

The gas is odorless and invisible, making it nearly impossible to detect without specialized testing. When inhaled, radon particles can damage the DNA of lung cells, leading to the potential for lung cancer and other illnesses.

As part of National Radon Month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the Test, Fix, Save a Life communication earlier this month, urging Americans to take action in their homes against the dangers of radon.

The EPA is reminding homeowners that although you cannot see, smell or taste radon, it can still be present at dangerous levels. As a result, federal officials recommend Americans take five precautionary steps to protect themselves and their families.

• Test their homes.
• Look for community radon events to attend.
• Spread the word about radon.
• Educate others in the community about the dangers of radon.
• Buy radon-resistant homes.

Americans are also being reminded that radon test kits can be bought both online and at many home improvement stores. Consumers are also being encouraged to check the EPA’s map of radon zones, to determine if their home is in an area that could be heavily affected by radon.

“Exposure to radon is a preventable health risk and testing radon levels in your home can help prevent unnecessary exposure,” EPA officials said. “If a high radon level is detected in your home, you can take steps to fix the problem to protect yourself and your family.”

Radon Exposure Could Lead to Gestational Diabetes

In addition to the risks the EPA is highlighting during National Radon Month, a new study published this month warns that radon exposure could also be linked to gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is a condition in which a pregnant woman’s body no longer produces enough insulin to manage the increased blood sugar levels of pregnancy. It can lead to type 2 diabetes, and can result in a number of complications for the newborn baby, including low birth weight, breathing problems, jaundice and later health issues.

The study was published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open on January 10, led by Yikia Jhang of Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, involving a review of a national study with 9,107 pregnant women living in U.S. counties that have registered high levels of radon.

The participants were monitored from October 2010 to September 2013, and the data was analyzed between September 2023 and January 2024.

The research team concluded that individuals who lived in counties that had the highest radon levels also had a higher chance of developing gestational diabetes than those who lived in counties with lower radon levels.

“These findings suggest that higher county-level radon exposure is associated with GD (gestational diabetes) among nulliparous pregnant individuals, highlighting the importance of considering environmental risk factors in maternal health strategies,” Jhang said.