• Radon is formed by underground radium that decays. It is a radioactive element that travels in the form of a gas. Radon is listed with the Surgeon General's office as the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is present in an average of one in 15 homes in the United States and the problem is that many of them have no clue.
  
  

Radon Gas

• Radon is a gas that is odorless and colorless, making it impossible to detect by the human body. Radon is able to penetrate most household materials because it is a single atom gas, making it easy for it to pass into homes. Because of its gaseous state, radon offers no visible signs to warn a potential victim. The highest risk from radon comes in the form on inhaling it. There are risks associated with radon in drinking water but they are much lower.
  
  

Signs and Symptoms

• Because radon offers no physical warning signs, the signs and symptoms usually appear when it has already done the damage. The only currently known risk associated with radon is lung cancer. Radon increases risks for the common types of lung cancer such as Aden carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. The signs include those directly related to lung cancer such as a cough that will not subside, blood in sputum and difficulty breathing.
  
  

Testing

• Radon testing is a requirement in some states but left up to the occupant in others. Testing is essential to determine if a home has radon present since it not detectible by sight or smell. The National Safety Council offers testing kits though their website.The test is simple and can be done by anyone by placing an open container in a room and leaving it for a few days. The test is then sealed and sent to a lab for testing. Results are mailed back within a short period of time. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends a home have between two and four pCi/L to be considered a safe level of radon. Also, the EPA site allows users to review state maps that show where high levels of radon have been detected.