Protecting Vulnerable Populations from Radon: Challenges and Solutions in Indoor Air Safety

Radon is an invisible gas linked to lung cancer, posing the greatest risk to vulnerable groups in poorly ventilated homes—making education and testing essential.

• By Jane Marsh
• Jul 16, 2025

Radon is one of those dangers you can’t see, smell, hear or taste. However, it poses a serious risk to your health if it builds up indoors. It’s a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms in the ground when uranium breaks down. Once radon gets in your home, it can collect in the air — especially in basements or poorly ventilated spaces — putting you and your family at risk. Understanding how it enters and how to test for it is critical in protecting indoor air and long-term well-being.

What Is Radon, and Why Is It Dangerous?

Radon forms in soil and groundwater. As it rises to the surface, it can seep into your home through cracks in the foundation, construction joints and gaps around pipes. Once inside, it accumulates in lower areas like basements or rooms with poor ventilation. The most common way you're exposed is bybreathing in the radon-filled air indoors, and part of what makes it so dangerous is you can't detect it on your own.

Another is its strong link to lung cancer and other respiratory problems. In fact, it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. Long-term exposure to high levels damages lung tissue, increasing your risk even if you’ve never picked up a cigarette.

Because symptoms don't show up immediately, it's easy to ignore them until they become a serious health issue. Testing your home and understanding your risk is essential, especially if you live in an area with high natural radon levels.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Certain groups face a much greater risk of exposure, and the consequences can be more severe. Low-income families might live in older or poorly ventilated housing where cracks in the foundation go unsealed and maintenance is delayed. Seniors with existing respiratory issues may be more sensitive to indoor pollutants like radon.

Meanwhile, children — whose lungs are still developing — are especially vulnerable to long-term damage. Indigenous and rural communities may also struggle with limited access to affordable testing and mitigation services, making it harder to detect and fix problems before they become dangerous. In addition, recent research has revealed a troubling link between air pollution and body mass index in children and adolescents.

These populations face greater biological risks simply because their bodies are more sensitive to toxins. However, they also deal with structural challenges like limited health care access, underfunded housing and a lack of public awareness that make it harder to protect their indoor air quality. The result is a compounded risk that demands urgent attention and targeted solutions.

Barriers to Mitigation in At-Risk Communities

One of the biggest reasons radon remains such a threat is most people don’t know enough about it. You might hear about it in passing, but it’s easy to brush off if it doesn’t feel urgent. In fact, a study found that only 20% of individuals went on to get a test kit after just one encounter with radon awareness messaging.

A single flyer or public service announcement may not be adequate to drive real action. It takes repeated messaging, clear guidance and access to resources to help you take the next step. If you don’t know where to get a test kit, what to do with the results or who to call for help, radon becomes just another invisible risk in the background.

Even if you want to act, the tools to protect your home aren't always easy to access. Testing kits and mitigation services can be expensive, especially if you live on a tight budget. If you're in a rural area or part of a marginalized community, you might not know where to find help. These barriers create a cycle where vulnerable populations get left behind again and again.

Addressing radon goes beyond fixing air quality. It involves closing the gap between environmental safety and health equity for everyone.

Proven Solutions for Radon Risk Reduction

You don’t have to live with the risk of radon. There are effective ways to detect it and reduce your exposure. Whether you’re a homeowner, renter or advocate for safer indoor spaces, these solutions can make a real difference:

1. Use a test kit to check levels in your home: These kits can help you identify whether you're at risk in just a few days.
2. Install a mitigation system if levels are high: Systems like sub-slab depressurization pull radon from beneath your home and vent it safely outside.
3. Seal foundation cracks and entry points: Caulking gaps and sealing joints helps prevent radon from seeping through the ground.
4. Improve ventilation in basements and crawlspaces: Increasing airflow in lower areas of your home can help reduce buildup.
5. Choose radon-resistant construction for new buildings: If you’re building or remodeling, ask your contractor about integrating barriers and venting systems from the start.
6. Support local education and outreach programs: Helping spread awareness in your community increases testing rates and early action, especially in high-risk areas.

Policy and Community-Driven Approaches

Protecting your home shouldn’t depend on your income or ZIP code. Government grants and subsidies help cover the cost of testing and fixing problems in low-income areas where the risk is often highest.

If you're not sure where to start, your state radon office is a great place. They canpoint you to trusted resources, send you information tailored to your location and provide a list of certified testers nearby. Knowing where to get help makes the process less overwhelming and ensures you're getting reliable support.

Real change needs stronger systems in place. Schools, community buildings and public housing should need to test for radon regularly since they serve high-risk groups. You can also look for or support public-private partnerships, where government agencies and private companies work together to make education and mitigation more accessible. These collaborations help spread awareness, increase funding opportunities and improve indoor air safety across more neighborhoods.

Why Protecting the Most Vulnerable from Radon Should Come First

Protecting indoor air quality starts with recognizing that vulnerable populations face the highest risks and the fewest resources to respond. Prioritizing these communities helps create healthier, more equitable environments for everyone.