Cigarette Smoking and Radon Exposure
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 | If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level over a lifetime*. . . | The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**. . . |
| 20 pCi/L | 260 people could get lung cancer | 250 times the risk of drowning |
| 10 pCi/L | 150 people could get lung cancer | 200 times the risk of dying in a house fire |
| 8 pCi/L | 120 people could get lung cancer | 30 times the risk of dying in a fall |
| 4 pCi/L | 62 people could get lung cancer | 5 times the risk of dying in a car crash |
| 2 pCi/L | 32 people could get lung cancer | 6 times the risk of dying from poisoning |
| 1.3 pCi/L | 20 people could get lung cancer | Average indoor radon level |
| 0.4 pCi/L | 3 people could get lung cancer | Average outdoor radon level |
| * Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower. | ||
| Radon Risk in Never-Smokers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Radon Level | If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level over a lifetime*. . . | The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**. . . |
| 20 pCi/L | 36 people could get lung cancer | 35 times the risk of drowning |
| 10 pCi/L | 18 people could get lung cancer | 20 times the risk of dying in a house fire |
| 8 pCi/L | 15 people could get lung cancer | 4 times the risk of dying in a fall |
| 4 pCi/L | 7 people could get lung cancer | The risk of dying in a car crash |
| 2 pCi/L | 4 people could get lung cancer | The risk of dying from poisoning |
| 1.3 pCi/L | 2 people could get lung cancer | Average indoor radon level |
| 0.4 pCi/L | N/A | 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.