The Relationship Between Smoking, Radon Exposure, and Lung Cancer

Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall. It is responsible for approximately 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Nearly 3,000 of these deaths occur in never-smokers.

For those who are smokers, the risk of developing lung cancer is greatly increased because of the synergistic effects of radon and smoking. Exposed to 1.3 pCi/L (the average indoor radon level) never-smokers have a 2 in 1,000 chance of dying from lung cancer, while smokers exposed to the same level have a 20 in 1,000 chance. The charts below draw comparisons between the risks in smokers versus never-smokers.

Radon Risk in Smokers

Radon Level
20 pCi/L

If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level over a lifetime*. . .

260 people could get lung cancer

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**. . .

250 times the risk of drowning

Radon Level
10 pCi/L

If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level over a lifetime*. . .

150 people could get lung cancer

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**. . .

200 times the risk of dying in a house fire

Radon Level
8 pCi/L

If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level over a lifetime*. . .

120 people could get lung cancer

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**. . .

30 times the risk of dying in a fall

Radon Level
4 pCi/L

If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level over a lifetime*. . .

62 people could get lung cancer

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**. . .

5 times the risk of dying in a car crash

Radon Level
2 pCi/L

If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level over a lifetime*. . .

32 people could get lung cancer

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**. . .

6 times the risk of dying from poisoning

Radon Level
1.3 pCi/L

If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level over a lifetime*. . .

20 people could get lung cancer

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**. . .

Average indoor radon level

Radon Level
0.4 pCi/L

If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level over a lifetime*. . .

3 people could get lung cancer

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**. . .

Average outdoor radon level

* Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower.

Radon Risk in Never-Smokers

Radon Level
20 pCi/L

If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level over a lifetime*. . .

36 people could get lung cancer

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**. . .

35 times the risk of drowning

Radon Level
10 pCi/L

If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level over a lifetime*. . .

18 people could get lung cancer

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**. . .

20 times the risk of dying in a house fire

Radon Level
8 pCi/L

If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level over a lifetime*. . .

15 people could get lung cancer

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**. . .

4 times the risk of dying in a fall

Radon Level
4 pCi/L

If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level over a lifetime*. . .

7 people could get lung cancer

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**. . .

The risk of dying in a car crash

Radon Level
2 pCi/L

If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level over a lifetime*. . .

4 people could get lung cancer

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**. . .

The risk of dying from poisoning

Radon Level
1.3 pCi/L

If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level over a lifetime*. . .

2 people could get lung cancer

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**. . .

Average indoor radon level

Radon Level
0.4 pCi/L

If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level over a lifetime*. . .

N/A

The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**. . .

Average outdoor radon level

* Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be higher.

* Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from Environmental Protection Agency Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes.

** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.

If you, or someone you know, has lung cancer and you would like to know if they qualify for additional compensation, please call 1-800-998-9729 for a FREE consultation.