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.
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.
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