Radon is responsible for 200 to 300 deaths a year in Switzerland and is second only to smoking as a leading cause of lung cancer.
The risk of lung cancer increases as airborne radon concentrations and the length of exposure rise. Radon decay products accumulate in and irradiate lung tissue. Years or even decades may elapse between the irradiation of lung tissue and the onset of lung cancer.
Lung cancer is responsible for around 3,200 deaths a year in Switzerland (source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office, 2023). Between 200 and 300 of these are attributable to radon (source: S. Menzler & al, Attributive Risiken durch Radon in der Schweiz, Stiftung Tierärzliche Hochschule Hannover, 2005).
Last modification 13.12.2024
Contact
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Radiological Protection Division
Radiological Risk Section
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
3003
Bern
Switzerland
Tel.
+41 58 464 68 80