Back to top Radon in Drinking Water Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in rocks and soil. It is harmlessly dispersed in outdoor air, but when trapped in buildings, can be harmful, especially at elevated levels. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As the particles break down further, they release small bursts of energy that can damage sensitive lung tissue and lead to lung cancer.
Radon comes from the soil surrounding and beneath the home.
It typically moves up through the soil into the air above and then into your home through cracks in foundations and walls, openings around pumps and drains, and construction joints. Nearly 1 in 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have elevated radon levels. Elevated levels have been found in every state. While radon problems may be more common in some areas, any home may have a problem. In addition, the level of radon in a nearby home cannot be used to predict the level of radon in your home.