What Comprehensive Cancer Control Programs Can Do About Radon

Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the environment and can cause cancer. Every year, radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States.

CDC’s National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program recognizes the importance of policies and activities that reduce exposure to cancer-causing agents. A state’s comprehensive cancer control plan can align the priorities, goals, and activities of cancer coalitions with practices that reduce radon exposure and the risk of radon-induced lung cancer. Thirty-two state cancer control plans include activities to reduce radon exposure.

Policy Resources for Residential Radon

• Radon (National Conference of State Legislatures)
  Contains links to state radon statutes, legislation, and resources for policy makers.
• Radon Publications (Environmental Law Institute)
  Tracks state radon laws.
• Model Public Policies That Will Reduce Radon’s Risk (American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists)
  Compiles actual and model radon-related policies.

Partners

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• The Federal Radon Action Plan [PDF-239KB]
• State Radon Programs
• The American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists
• Cancer Survivors Against Radon
• American Cancer Society
• Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors