Radon is an odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that poses a serious public health concern. It is also the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General’s office estimate radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Lung Cancer caused by Radon is the second leading cause of Lung Cancer Deaths in the United States, this is second to Lung cancer caused from smoking, and third is Lung Cancer caused from exposure to 2nd hand smoke. Since it is difficult to identify any immediate symptoms related to radon exposure, it may take years before health problems appear. So, whether in the workplace, in homes, or in schools, understanding radon is important. Radon is a gas that occurs naturally from the breakdown or the radioactive decay of uranium. Rocks, soil, and in some cases groundwater can all contain uranium. Because radon comes from so many sources, people are easily exposed to it. Exposure can occur through breathing outdoor air, in buildings and homes, and by eating or drinking. Radon gas can seep through cracks in buildings and expose people to the radiation, which can lead to severe health problems. The EPA lists the following ways that radon can get into buildings: cracks in solid floors and walls, construction joints, gaps in suspended floors, gaps around service pipes, cavities inside walls, the water supply. Since 1988, the EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General have issued Health Advisories recommending that all homes be tested below the third floor for radon. They also recommended fixing homes with radon levels at or above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), EPA's National Voluntary Action Level. EPA and the Surgeon General also recommend that schools nationwide be tested for radon. Having your home tested is the only effective way to determine whether you or your family is at risk of radon exposure. Testing is easy and should only take a few minutes of your time. The amount of radon in the air is measured in "picocuries per liter of air," or "pCi/L." There are many kinds of low-cost "do-it-yourself" radon test kits you can get through the mail and in some hardware stores and other retail outlets. If you prefer, or if you are buying or selling a home, you can hire a qualified tester to do the testing for you. You should first contact your state radon office about obtaining a list of qualified testers.

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/brochure/profile_radon.htm http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html#lower Radon is a health concern for not only us in the United States but internationally too. In 2005 the surgeon General put out a national health advisory on Radon. Radon is an odorless, tasteless, and invisible gas that is produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in our soil and water. Radon is a form of ionizing radiation is a proven carcinogen. Lung Cancer is the only known effect of Radon on human health from exposure to it in the air. Lung Cancer kills millions of Americans each year. Lung Cancer caused by Radon is the second leading cause of Lung Cancer Deaths in the United States, this is second to Lung cancer caused from smoking, and third is Lung Cancer caused from exposure to 2nd hand smoke. Lung cancer related Deaths:
160,000 deaths a year from smoking
21,000 deaths a year from radon exposure, only 2900 are estimated to be non-smokers
3,000 deaths related to second hand smoke.
These numbers show that radon does not discriminate between smokers and non-smokers but the incidents of Radon related Lung Cancer is defiantly higher if you are a smoker. So just one more reason to quit smoking.
Our greatest risk of exposure occurs in our homes, because of this it is important to have your home tested for Radon and any home you may be looking at purchasing. January was designated by The EPA as National Radon Month and it is also the best time of year to test a home for radon because it is all closed up due to the cold weather. Having your home tested is a personal preference on how to have it done you can call a professional in or you could do a do it your self test which can be purchased at most home improvement stores.
Once you have your home tested it is important to know that the nations standard for Radon is 1.3pCi/L, this number is based on a test of 20,000 homes in the U.S. It is recommended you look into having your homes ventilation systems fixed if your readings are between 2-4pCi/L or higher. Having your home fixed if reading are high is very important to your health and safety. There are soil suction systems on the market that help reduce radon levels in homes you can contact a local contractor for help with these systems but overall the key is proper ventilation in a home’s basement level to reduce radon.