It is common for people to only hear about radon when they are looking to buy or sell a home, which may lead many to believe that radon gas is only an issue for homeowners. However, radon is not just confined to the basements and living quarters of private residences. Any building can be at risk, regardless of its function, age, location, or foundation type.As an odorless, invisible gas that can increase the risk of lung cancer after prolonged exposure, radon can be a widespread environmental hazard as well as dangerous for humans in schools, workplaces, apartment buildings, and public infrastructure, essentially any indoor space. The widespread threat of radon means that more people need to step up oversight and accountability to protect themselves and the public from exposure.Awareness of public health risks is growing, and radon deserves more attention. The science on the health risks posed by radon exposure is clear: the technology exists not only to measure levels and continuously monitor but also to mitigate radon exposure, and the consequences of inaction may be too great to ignore. 

The underestimated threat of radon

Radon is a naturally occurring gas produced by the decay of uranium in soil and rock, which is why it is often found in basements and lower levels of buildings. It can seep through cracks in the foundation or spaces around pipes and enter the building undetected. To detect radon, specialized testing equipment is required. Typically, people are not aware of radon testing until they sell their home or attempt to buy a new one. However, radon should always be considered a factor in any space, and its negative health impacts should not be underestimated.Single-family homes represent only a fraction of the radon exposure environment. Many people spend most of their time in non-residential locations such as office buildings, schools, and healthcare facilities. The risk of radon exposure in these locations can be just as concerning, if not more so, than in a single-family home.Locations such as office buildings and schools often lack proper oversight of possible radon exposure. Testing requirements can vary widely by state, and follow-up is not always mandated by law, so it is possible that office workers or school teachers could be consistently exposed to radon over a long period without knowing it.

A leading but preventable cause of lung cancer

Everyone knows that the number one cause of lung cancer is smoking, but radon is the leading cause of lung cancer diagnoses and related deaths in nonsmokers. The negative health impacts of long-term radon exposure have been well documented. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the United States alone.What makes radon particularly dangerous is the cumulative nature of exposure. Unlike environmental hazards that can create immediate negative effects, such as chemical spills or industrial fires, radon can be considered a silent killer, with its harmful effects slowly building over time. As radioactive particles become trapped in the lungs, one’s chances of developing lung cancer multiply.Underestimating the threat of radon may stem from this long latency period. By the time symptoms appear, the connection to radon exposure may still not be obvious. Because of radon’s silent, unassuming nature, it remains one of the most significant, yet preventable, public health risks. 

The need for real-time continuous monitoring 

Now that people know that radon can be anywhere, what can be done to mitigate the risk? Traditionally, radon testing methods have relied on short-term data or long-term passive devices that only provide a snapshot in time and do not continuously monitor an area for radon.As technology has improved, the ability to continuously monitor ‌radon levels has emerged. These continuous radon monitors provide near-instant data, allowing users to track fluctuations in radon levels that are very common during the day and season-to-season. With real-time data, building managers can respond quickly if elevated radon levels are detected.New technology provides faster mitigation responses, reducing the risk of prolonged exposure. These devices also provide greater transparency for everyone in the building, allowing them to rest assured that the potential threat is being monitored. 

Radon risk beyond the home 

For the risk of lung cancer due to prolonged radon exposure to be lessened, society must understand that the risks do not end inside private homes. Radon is an environmental infrastructure risk, on par with water quality, fire safety, and structural integrity. For businesses that routinely host large groups of workers and visitors, radon exposure can pose multifaceted risks and potential liabilities.For policymakers, the current regulatory radon guidelines are likely outdated. With new technology that allows for continuous monitoring that proves radon levels are changing all the time, the old approach of ignoring the possibility of radon exposure or simply taking a snapshot of information as accurate simply doesn’t do enough to protect people.How radon is perceived and managed needs to shift. The more people realize that radon is not a private concern but a public one, the more aware they will be of the risks involved and the more likely they will be to take action. As monitoring technology and people’s understanding of radon behavior improve, it signals a time for institutions, building managers, and leaders to stand up and act with urgency.