They're concerned that they're not reaching enough people about the dangers of the odorless gas. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. State Division of Health researchers found that nearly one-tenth of tested homes have radon levels that surpass federal limits.
Radon comes from the natural decay of radioactive materials in rock and soil.
The only way to know the radon level in a house is to measure it. Every home should be tested. Tests are inexpensive and easy to do. If you are planning on buying a home or selling your home, have it tested for radon. For new homes, ask if radon resistant construction features have been used.