NIEHS recognizes January as National Radon Action Month, an observance led by the Environmental Protection Agency. Did you know that exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking? Radon, which is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that you cannot see or smell, moves up from the ground and can get trapped inside homes and buildings. Although radon is found in almost all indoor air, a radon level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher is considered elevated.
To learn more about radon and to lower your exposure, check out the following NIEHS resources: radon factsheet, an Environmental Factor story, and a podcast. Also, find out where you can get a radon test kit to check levels in your home.
