Environmental Health Home Page

Radon Information:

Radon & Your Health
Radon Detector Kit
Radon FAQs
Radon Test Procedure 
Radon Testing
Reducing Radon Exposure
Radon Levels in Wisconsin 
Forms & Publications 

Radon FAQs

• What is Radon?
• Where is Radon Found?
• How does radon get into my home?
• Is there a safe level?
• What health effects is radon linked to?
• How does radon cause lung cancer?
• Is radon a concern in some areas as opposed to others; and if so does my area have a radon problem?
• Where can I buy a test kit?
• Are there different types of test kits? Which should I use?

How does radon cause lung cancer?

Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As these particles break down, they release small bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over the course of your lifetime. An individual's risk of getting lung cancer from radon depends mostly on 3 factors: level of radon, the duration of exposure, and their smoking habits.