These cracks allow gases in the earth, including radon, to seep into a building. The greatest concentrations of radon are usually found in the basement or ground floor. Radon breaks down into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As they break down further, these particles release small bursts of energy that can damage lung tissue. This can lead to lung cancer.
Radon is the second leading cause of death from lung cancer in the United States.
Only cigarette smoking causes more cases of death from lung cancer. Smokers are at a greater risk for lung cancer due to exposure to radon than are nonsmokers. You need to determine if your facility or home has dangerous levels of radon by measuring the indoor air for radon. The amount of radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air. Testing for radon is very inexpensive.