Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas created when uranium in soil and rock breaks down.
The radon rises up through the soil and then dissipates into the air. Radon becomes a concern when it gets into homes through cracks and openings in and around the foundation. Inside a home the radon can accumulate. When levels are high enough radon is inhaled and may increase the risk of lung cancer. It is estimated that radon may be linked to any where from 5,000 to 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States.