IAQ Tribal Partners Program
Learn About IAQ
Radon
Radon is a natural radioactive gas caused by the breakdown of uranium in soil. It can enter into homes through cracks and gaps that may not be visible. The construction and geographic location of a home can affect the amount of radon that is present inside. In fact, two homes next door to one another could have very different levels of radon inside. It is important to measure a home’s level of radon because it poses a serious health risk, especially at elevated levels.
Over time, exposure to elevated levels of radon can cause lung cancer. In fact, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smoking adults, claiming more than 20,000 lives annually in the United States alone. The good news is, if a home has a high level of radon, it can be mitigated, usually at low cost and in a short amount of time. For more in-depth information on radon, and radon mitigation methods, visit EPA’s Radon Web site.
Resources
Do you have materials to share with other programs? If so, we would like to know. Please send us an e-mail at iaqtribal@epa.gov attach the materials, and those materials could be highlighted on this Web page.
- EPA’s Radon Publications
- EPA’s A Citizen’s Guide to Radon offers guidance on testing your home for radon and next steps if you find high levels. This site also provides information on the risks associated with radon, and radon myths.
- Radon Leaders Saving Lives
is an online learning and action network supporting the Radon Leaders Saving Lives Campaign. - EPA and The Environmental Law Institute teamed up to write A Radon Guide for Tenants (PDF) (10 pp., 51 K, about PDF), a valuable resource for renters of houses or apartments.
- EPA’s Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon may be a useful tool for those selling or buying a home, real estate and relocation professionals, home inspectors and others.
- EPA’s National Radon Action Month Web page provides information and tools on how to conduct activities to raise awareness about radon in your community.
- Learning About Radon - A Part of Nature (PDF) (20 pp., 3 MB) Written for Native Americans, this booklet discusses radon's place in the world, the basics on testing, and how homes can be fixed to reduce radon levels.
- Local Efforts to Reduce Radon Risks: Highlights and Lessons Learned (PDF) (12 pp., 400 K) - Read about some outstanding examples and lessons learned of the successes achieved in local communities.
- Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction How to Fix Your Home - You have tested your home for radon, but now what? This booklet is for people who have confirmed that they have elevated radon levels and provides information to help you to select a qualified contractor to reduce the radon levels in your home, determine an appropriate radon reduction method, and maintain your radon reduction system.
You can order EPA publications free of charge from EPA's National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP), visit their Website at www.epa.gov/nscep, or call 1-800-490-9198.
Learn About IAQ
- IAQ in Tribal Communities
- Asthma Triggers
- Secondhand Smoke
- Radon
- Moisture/Mold
- Wood Smoke
- Carbon Monoxide
- Other Pollutants
We want your input
Have you planned a successful and sustainable community program? If so, we would like to know. Please send us an e-mail at iaqtribal@epa.gov describing the program, and that program could be highlighted here. We will follow up with the program directly to gather more information and permission to use their story.