Does radon gas cause lung cancer? A pulmonologist weighs in

At some point, you may have caught a commercial with a lung cancer survivor hooked up to oxygen. The patient grimly tells you in a raspy voice to not smoke unless you want to wind up like them. While it's true that smoking cigarettes is the top risk factor for lung cancer, there are also other causes of lung cancer that impact nonsmokers — including exposure to radon gas.

In the U.S., approximately 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer. Radon is likely the number one cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. Radon gas can be found indoors and outdoors, but when it's inside, it can become a health risk, increasing your chances of lung cancer.

What is radon and why is it dangerous?

Radon is a natural radioactive gas that's released into the air when elements like uranium and radium (found in rocks and soil) are released when they decay. The gas mixes in the air when it comes up from the ground.

Radon gas is deceptively dangerous because you can't:

• See it
• Smell it
• Taste it

Inhaling high levels of radon can damage your lungs and might cause lung cancer.

Radon gas isn't only found outdoors. It can also find its way into your house, school, underground mines and other buildings. Radon gas enters homes and buildings through cracks or foundations.

Beyond air, it's also possible for radon to be in:

• Some building materials like granite
• Certain concrete products
• Well water

When the soil has radon in it, basements and first floors tend to test for higher levels of radon gas because of how close they are to the ground.

What's the risk?

"Being exposed to radon gas indoors over long periods of time is dangerous for anyone, especially smokers. It's the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.," says Gerald Meis, DO a pulmonologist at Main Line HealthCare Pulmonary Medicine in Broomall, PA.

Outdoors, the gas dissipates and you breathe in less. When radon gas is in poorly ventilated spaces, higher levels of radon can build up, increasing the risk of lung cancer. That's when it becomes dangerous.

If you're a smoker and have been exposed to radon, your risk for lung cancer is 10 times higher. About 10% of nonsmokers exposed to radon develop lung cancer.

Lung cancer symptoms

Lung cancer symptoms can include:

• A cough that does not go away or gets worse
• Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm)
• Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing or laughing
• Hoarseness
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling tired or weak
• Infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that don't go away or keep coming back
• New onset of wheezing

If you're having any of these symptoms, it's important to tell your clinician who may refer you to a lung cancer specialist. They work with patients to prevent, diagnose and treat lung cancer.

Pennsylvania residents may be more exposed to radon gas and at risk of lung cancer

About 40% of homes in Pennsylvania have radon levels that measure above guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), making it one of the most serious radon problems in the country. Additionally:

• Pennsylvania ranks 32nd in the country for lung cancer cases
• Pennsylvania has a higher rate of lung cancer diagnoses than the U.S. average, with 57 new cases per 100,000 people compared with 53 per 100,000 nationally

What to do if you worry that your home has radon

If you think you've been exposed in your home, the first thing you'll want to do is test your home for radon. In the U.S., nearly one out of every 15 homes has tested for high levels of radon.

Types of home radon tests

There are do-it-yourself radon testing kits or you can call a professional to test for radon levels. Since radon levels can vary depending on the day or month, there are both short- and long-term tests available:

• Short-term detectors only check the radon levels between 2 to 90 days
• Long-term tests are recommended because they measure radon levels for more than 90 days

Both tests are simple to use and affordable. Your state or local radon official can offer guidance on which test might be right for your home.

Pay attention to these level numbers:

• 4 pCi/L or higher: Considered unsafe and should be mitigated
• 2 pCi/L or lower: The EPA's recommended target level after mitigation though lower levels are safer

Medical testing

While there aren't any medical tests to see if you've been exposed to radon, depending on the results of the home radon test, you can still talk to your clinician. They'll determine if you need regular health checkups or screenings for possible signs of lung cancer.

Reducing your exposure to radon

You'll want to fix your home by hiring a certified or qualified radon mitigation contractor. They'll discuss ways to reduce your radon exposure such as installing a radon mitigation system.

There are different methods to lower radon levels, but the EPA recommends the soil suction method. This blocks radon from coming into your home by sucking it from under your home and redirecting it into the air where it is diluted.

The ultimate goal is to reduce your exposure to radon, which can help lower your chances of developing lung cancer. While opening windows and doors may temporarily reduce the amount of radon in your home, it will quickly build back up. The only way to truly lower levels of radon in your home is through a radon mitigation system.

Lowering your risk of lung cancer

Although lung cancer isn't always avoidable, there are things you can do to lower your chances of developing lung cancer.

If you're a smoker, the first thing you should do is quit. Main Line Health's SmokeFREE smoking cessation program offers classes to help you quit.

Ask your clinician if you're eligible for CT lung cancer screening. It has been shown to lower the risk of death from lung cancer by 20% in people who are at high risk.

You should also consider testing your home for radon and installing a radon mitigation system if your results are in the unsafe range.

"This is an environmental threat that can easily be preventable with a radon test and a dependable ventilation system," explains Dr. Meis.

Next steps

Make an appointment with Gerald Meis, DO.

Learn more about lung cancer screening.

Learn more about lung cancer care at Main Line Health.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Where does radon gas come from?

It's a natural gas that enters the air or water when uranium and radium in soil and rocks decay. It's also found in construction materials like some concrete and granite.

Does radon cause cancer?

Radon gas causes lung cancer in certain people and nationally is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. Researchers continue to study whether radon may contribute to other cancers, but those connections have not been clearly established.

How does radon cause lung cancer?

Due to its radioactivity, breathing in radon can damage DNA in your lung tissue and contribute to your risk of developing lung cancer over time.

How long does it take radon to cause cancer?

Your risk of lung cancer increases with long-term exposure to radon gas. Higher radon levels and more years of exposure lead to greater lifetime risk. Even relatively low radon levels can pose a risk if exposure occurs over many years, which is why EPA recommends testing homes and taking action when levels reach 4 pCi/L or higher.

Is radon a carcinogen?

Yes, because radon is a radioactive gas it's a carcinogen.