Radon-Induced Lung Cancer Estimations in the U.S. and Canada
Are you curious about the rates of radon-induced lung cancers in your state or province? High radon has been found in all 50 U.S. states and all Canadian provinces and territories.
United States
The EPA estimates that 1 in 15 homes in the United States have elevated radon levels. According to the Indoor Environments Association, below are the top 10 states with the highest rates of radon-induced lung cancer and highest percentage of homes reporting radon levels at the actionable level of 4 pCi/L:
Source: Indoor Environments Assciation/AARST, 2024 Radon Report Card
| State | Radon-Induced Lung Cancer Cases per Year |
| Pennsylvania | 3,018 |
| Ohio | 2,559 |
| Texas | 1,512 |
| Illinois | 1,476 |
| Florida | 1,416 |
| New York | 1,384 |
| California | 1,117 |
| Kentucky | 1,033 |
| Indiana | 966 |
| Wisconsin | 962 |
| State | Radon Test Results ≥ 4 pCi/L |
| North Dakota | 60% |
| Iowa | 58% |
| Nebraska | 58% |
| South Dakota | 58% |
| Ohio | 52% |
| Wisconsin | 48% |
| Montana | 46% |
| Wyoming | 44% |
| Colorado | 44% |
| Kentucky | 44% |
Click on your state’s radon report card to see the number of radon-induced lung cancer cases, radon policies in your state, and the estimated number of buildings with radon levels at or above the actionable limit. The EPA estimates that there are more than 21,000 deaths per year from radon induced lung cancer.
Canada
In Canada, it is estimated that 7% of homes have high radon levels with an estimated 3,200 radon induced lung cancer deaths per year, according to Health Canada. According to the Evict Radon National Study, the prairie provinces - Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba - have the highest average radon levels per home with 18.5% having a radon level at the action threshold of 200 Bq/m3. Below are the regional results of the Evict Radon study.
Source: Evict Radon National Study
| Region | Avg Radon Level per Home | Homes with Radon above 200 Bq/m3 |
| Prairie Provinces - Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba | 108.3 Bq/m³ | 18.5% |
| Northern Canada (Territories) | 100.8 Bq/m³ | 23.4% |
| Atlantic Canada - Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Labrador, Prince Edwards Island | 96.6 Bq/m³ | 25.4% |
| Central Canada - Ontario, Quebec | 83.3 Bq/m³ | 20.2% |
| Pacific Canada - British Columbia | 58.0 Bq/m³ | 15.9% |
The Evict Radon National Study also reports that "rural communities consistently exhibit over 30% higher radon exposure compared to more urban areas across all provinces and territories" and emphasizes that there is no part of Canada that is free from radon exposure risk.
A good time to test for radon is when buying a home. The Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists offers these recommendations when buying a home in Canada.
FAQs on Radon
What is radon?
Radon is an odorless, colorless gas released during the natural decay of uranium in soil and rocks. It enters homes through cracks and other openings in foundations such as sump pumps. Homes trap radon inside where the gas decays into harmful radioactive atoms that get caught in the respiratory tract when people breathe. New and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements all have the potential for dangerous levels.
What can be done?
The only way to know if you are living in a home with radon is to test. Even in states and provinces with the lowest average radon levels, there are homes and buildings far exceeding the actionable limit. Radon can vary significantly from home to home within the same neighborhood. It's important that your test your own home, workplace, or school. You can measure for radon with a do-it-yourself home test or by using a certified radon professional.
Radonova offers tests that can be used by homeowners as well as radon professionals.
- QuickScreen is a 2-to-4-day charcoal radon screener which is ideal for obtaining a quick snapshot of radon levels.
- The 10 to 90 day Rapidos alpha track detector provides detailed and accurate results in a relatively quick period.
- Radtrak³ is the most popular alpha track radon detector in the world. It is deployed for up to 365 days and is the most accurate option.
Test your first floor, basement, and other first floor rooms where you spend more than 4 hours per day.
Many home inspectors are also certified to measure radon levels. Professional radon inspectors will know how to measure the entire property accurately and where to test within the home. The test should be performed by an NRPP, NRSB, and/or state listed radon testing contractor. To find an NRPP contractor in your state, search the NRPP website by your zip code. In Canada, search the C-NRPP website to find a professional in your province or postal code.
What to do if home radon levels are high?
If radon levels are high, then radon mitigation systems can be installed by certified radon professionals to reduce radon levels to below the actionable limit.
The cost of radon mitigation is similar to the costs of other common home repairs. Costs will vary depending on your home’s size, the design, your location, and the type of radon reduction method that is needed.
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