Final answer:
Radon is associated with lung cancer because when inhaled, it decays into radioactive particles within the lungs that can cause cellular damage, leading to cancer. The risk is higher in smokers, and the EPA recommends home testing for radon.
Step-by-step explanation:
Radon is more closely associated with inducing lung cancer than other types of cancer primarily because it is easily inhaled into the lungs. Once inside the lungs, radon decays into radioactive particles such as polonium-218, which is chemically reactive. This radioactive decay can cause damage to the lung cells directly, which can lead to lung cancer. Furthermore, the risk of lung cancer is significantly higher for smokers due to the synergistic effects of smoking and radon exposure, as smoking damages lung tissue, making it more susceptible to radon-induced damage.
Radon is a dense, invisible, and odorless noble gas that tends to accumulate in enclosed spaces, such as basements, especially in areas where the soil has higher-than-average uranium content. Although radon itself is not chemically reactive, its decay products, like polonium-218, can become irreversibly bound to lung tissue. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that homes be tested for radon to mitigate this health risk. The EPA estimates that about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. are related to radon exposure, highlighting the importance of radon testing and mitigation measures.