REDUCING THE RISKS FROM RADON

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that residential ra don levels in the United States lead to approximately 13,600 lung canc er deaths per year. To address this problem, the Agency has identified three program initiatives that can provide substantial reductions in the public's risks: (1) public information activities that urge the pu blic to test for radon and reduce elevated concentrations in existing homes, (2) new construction standards to reduce radon entry, and (3) r adon testing and mitigation during real estate transactions. This pape r analyzes the costs and risk reductions that could result from the im plementation of these major initiatives, showing how all three element s cost-effectively protect the public's health.