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Indoor Air Quality Update
Take Steps to Save a Life! November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
 Did You Know?
- Exposure to radon can cause lung cancer.
- A smoker who is also exposed to radon has a much higher risk of lung cancer.
- Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke can also cause lung cancer.
Learn the actions you can take to reduce exposures and save a life!
Radon in Homes
Radon is an odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that, when left untreated, can build up inside a home. Nearly 1 in 15 homes in the United States have elevated levels of radon. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to EPA estimates.
Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked.
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 Download the infographic.
Test Your Home for Radon
- The only way to know the radon level in your home is to test.
- Getting a radon test is easy. Find where you can get a radon test kit.
- Only hire a qualified professional to install a mitigation system in your home. Contact your state radon program for help finding qualified professionals in your state.
Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Exposure
Secondhand tobacco smoke is a mixture of the smoke given off by tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars or pipes, and the smoke exhaled by a smoker. Secondhand tobacco smoke is the third leading cause of lung cancer. It is harmful to everyone who inhales it – causing about 7,000 lung cancer deaths a year among non-smokers.
Prohibit Smoking and Vaping in Your Home
- Prohibiting smoking and vaping inside or near homes, buildings, vehicles and other enclosed spaces is the only way to eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke and vaping aerosols and the health risks that may come with them.
- If you smoke or vape, do so outdoors and away from indoor spaces, at least 25 feet away from open windows or doors and building entryways.
- If you want to quit, find a list of resources.
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