Is exposure to radon more hazardous for smokers?
Yes, radon exposure amplifies the risks associated with smoking. Many studies, including studies of uranium mine workers who were exposed to higher levels of radon, indicate that a significantly higher percentage of smokers than expected will develop lung cancer when compared to nonsmokers exposed at the same radon level. The following table from the EPA is an updated chart of the lifetime risk of lung cancer death per person from radon exposure in homes (excerpted from the EPA’s updated radon risk assessment).
