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Where does radon gas come from?

Radon gas is created as uranium — a radioactive element found in rocks and soil — breaks down over time.
Radon occurs naturally — it’s not a man-made product — and it’s everywhere on the planet.

Radon is found everywhere, but some places have more radon than others.
There are low levels of radon in the air outside.
Radon can seep into homes through dirt under the home and through cracks and seams in the foundation.
Once inside, if airflow is poor, radon can build up and collect in lower floors of a home or building.

Radon is the second most common cause of lung cancer after exposure to tobacco smoke and the most common cause of death from lung cancer in non-smokers. Data suggests that radon causes between 7,000 and 30,000 lung cancer deaths in the US each year.
Radon can be inhaled, exposing lungs to the damaging radioactive particles which cause lung cancer. If a home or other building has high levels of radon gas, over time, frequent exposure to the gas increases the risk of lung cancer.
The chance of getting lung cancer from radon depends on how much radon is in the home or building and how much time is spent there.
Smokers who are also exposed to radon gas have an even higher chance of getting lung cancer.

You can’t see radon gas, but you can measure it.
Your radon level could be very different from your neighbor’s — radon levels can vary from house to house, depending on home construction and condition, and the soil under and around the home.
Radon levels are measured in units called “picocuries per liter of air.” This measurement is shown as “pCi/L.”
Measuring radon levels is the only way to know if you have a radon problem in your home.
There are devices that can measure the amount of radon in the air.
You can also buy easy-to-use DIY test kits.
If there is reason to suspect a radon problem, there are professionals you can hire who can measure the radon in your home and make changes to your home to lower the radon levels.