It is a well-known fact that smoking can place a person at risk for lung cancer. However, smoking and exposure to radon increases the risk even more.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the number one cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. Here are some important facts about radon and smoking:
The United States Environmental Protection Agency's
recommended action level is 4 picocuries per liter. If 1,000 nonsmokers were exposed to 4 picocuries per liter of radon over a lifetime, about 7 of them could get lung cancer. But, if 1,000 smokers were exposed to 4 picocuries per liter of radon over a lifetime, about 62 could get lung cancer.
The most important thing to remember about smoking and radon exposure is that if you are a smoker and you quit, you can reduce your risk of getting lung cancer. And, you can further reduce your risk if you do whatever is necessary to reduce the radon levels in your home. To learn how to keep your home safe from radon, contact the New York State Health Department's Radon Program at 1-800-458-1158.
Contact CNY Coalition For Healthy Indoor Air today to learn more.
