Radon, Smoking, and Your Lung Cancer Risk

Radon is an odorless, invisible, and radioactive gas that can enter through a home’s foundation. With prolonged exposure, those living inside are at an increased risk of lung cancer and other lung diseases.

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause in smokers. In fact, radon is attributed to 21,000 lung-cancer-related deaths each year. That being said, what happens when you combine high radon exposure and smoking, and what can you do about it? 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you are 10X more likely to develop lung cancer if you smoke cigarettes and live in a home with high radon levels. 

How to Reduce Your Risk of Lung Cancer

The simple answer for reducing lung cancer risk is, of course, to stop smoking. However, we know this may be easier said than done, and there are still steps you can take while you work with a medical provider or quit line.

The second thing you can do is test your home for radon gas. Radon testing is a simple, straightforward process that can be completed in just a few days. All you need to do is request a free test from Utah Radon Services and follow the step-by-step instructions when your test arrives. Once you receive your results, we’ll walk you through the process of mitigation to reduce your risk, if necessary. Remember: Any home can have high radon levels (In fact, one in three Utah homes does!). 

Questions? Contact us at 801-872-6710.