--- title: Smoking and Radon Exposure | Causes of Lung Cancer description: Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall. Smoking intensifies these effects... image: https://www.lung-cancer.com/hubfs/lung-cancer-open-graph-1.jpg --- [![sr-logo@2x](https://www.sprocketrocket.co/hs-fs/hubfs/sr-assets/images/sr-logo@2x.png?width=180&name=sr-logo@2x.png) ![Lung-Cancer-Logo](https://www.lung-cancer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Lung-Cancer-Logo.png?width=300&name=Lung-Cancer-Logo.png)](https://www.lung-cancer.com/) [1-800-998-9729](tel:+18009989729) [![Get Compensation](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/9206347/19183636-5e74-4bd8-aa74-0ff135c8d838.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/9206347/19183636-5e74-4bd8-aa74-0ff135c8d838) - Detection & Diagnosis - [Signs & Symptoms of Lung Cancer](https://www.lung-cancer.com/symptoms) - [Screening for Lung Cancer](https://www.lung-cancer.com/screening) - [Diagnosing Lung Cancer](https://www.lung-cancer.com/diagnosis) - [Types of Lung Cancer](https://www.lung-cancer.com/types) - [Stages of Lung Cancer](https://www.lung-cancer.com/stages) - Treatment Options - [Lung Cancer Treatment Options](https://www.lung-cancer.com/treatment) - [Surgery](https://www.lung-cancer.com/surgery) - [Radiation Therapy](https://www.lung-cancer.com/radiation-therapy) - [Chemotherapy](https://www.lung-cancer.com/chemotherapy) - [Immunotherapy](https://www.lung-cancer.com/immunotherapy) - [Targeted Therapy](https://www.lung-cancer.com/targeted-therapy) - [Laser Therapy](https://www.lung-cancer.com/laser-therapy) - Causes & Risk Factors - [Causes of Lung Cancer](https://www.lung-cancer.com/causes) - [Agent Orange](https://www.lung-cancer.com/agent-orange) - [Asbestos](https://www.lung-cancer.com/asbestos) - [Heavy Metals](https://www.lung-cancer.com/metals) - [Radon](https://www.lung-cancer.com/radon) - [Tobacco](https://www.lung-cancer.com/tobacco) - Resources - [Patient Resources](https://www.lung-cancer.com/patient-resources) - [Legal Assistance](https://www.lung-cancer.com/legal-assistance) - [Prognosis & Survival Rates](https://www.lung-cancer.com/prognosis) - [Lung Cancer Rates by State](https://www.lung-cancer.com/rates-by-state) - [Metastatic Lung Cancer FAQs](https://www.lung-cancer.com/metastatic-lung-cancer-faqs) - [![Get Compensation](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/9206347/19183636-5e74-4bd8-aa74-0ff135c8d838.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/9206347/19183636-5e74-4bd8-aa74-0ff135c8d838) Menu # 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](tel:+18009989729) for a FREE consultation. ![Lung-Cancer-Logo](https://www.lung-cancer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Lung-Cancer-Logo.png?width=300&name=Lung-Cancer-Logo.png) - [Treatment Options](https://www.lung-cancer.com/treatment) - [Detection & Diagnosis](https://www.lung-cancer.com/diagnosis) - [Risk Factors & Causes](https://www.lung-cancer.com/causes) - [Resources](https://www.lung-cancer.com/patient-resources) Lung Cancer Answers is a website devoted to life issues for lung cancer patients and their families and is sponsored by Brad Cooper\* of Cooper, Hart, Leggiero & Whitehead, PLLC. Cooper, Hart, Leggiero & Whitehead is located in The Woodlands, Texas (Greater Houston Area), handles cases nationwide with co-counsel in state of filing, and can be reached toll-free at 1-800-998-9729 for more information on lung cancer. Brad Cooper is not a medical doctor. The information on these pages is for the education of lung cancer patients and their families regarding potential medical and legal options. Patients are advised to consult with a medical doctor. \* Licensed by the Supreme Courts of Texas. ©2026 Cooper, Hart, Leggiero & Whitehead, PLLC. All rights reserved.