Radiation is all around us, every minute of every day. Some radiation is essential to life, such as heat and light from the sun. We could not exist without it. Some radiation informs and entertains us, through video signals and sounds from television sets and radios. As used in medicine, radiation helps us diagnose and treat diseases and save lives. Yet it can also pose serious risks.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and chemically inert radioactive gas. The Surgeon General estimates that 21,000 lives are lost each year to radon-induced lung cancer. Radon can be found in all 50 states. Unless you test for it, there is no way of telling how much is present. For more information on how to test your home, contact the National Radon Hotline at 800-SOS-RADON (800-767-7236).