January 26, 2026, marks the start of Radon Awareness Week, designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to raise awareness of radon exposure risks and encourage testing to reduce potential health impacts. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. Invisible, odorless, and tasteless, radon can enter buildings through cracks in foundations, walls, and floors, as well as through gaps around pipes and drains.
“Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking,” said William Stover, an industrial hygienist with the Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command (NMCFHPC). “There is no safe level of radon, so exposure should always be kept as low as possible. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends keeping long-term indoor radon levels below 4 picoCuries per liter of air.”
The Navy Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) manages the Navy Radon Assessment and Mitigation Program (NAVRAMP), which oversees radon testing, reporting, and response actions across Navy and Marine Corps installations.
“Radon is everywhere,” Stover added. “By understanding how much radon we may be exposed to and where it comes from, we can take steps to reduce exposure and lower the risk of lung cancer.”
NMCFHPC supports radon risk management by evaluating environmental health hazards, interpreting and communicating health risks, and providing guidance on response actions to protect service members, their families, and other building occupants.
“Radon risk varies by location, but the overall risk to service members is generally low,” said Stover. “Managing radon through NAVRAMP helps ensure those risks remain even lower.”
Radon Awareness Week serves as a crucial reminder that radon is a preventable health hazard. Through routine testing, informed mitigation, and coordinated efforts between NAVFAC, installation radon program managers, and NMCFHPC, the Navy and Marine Corps continue to protect the health of service members and their families. Understanding radon risks and taking proactive steps to manage exposure helps ensure safer living and working environments across Department of the Navy installations.
Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command (NMCFHC) plays a critical role in protecting the health and readiness of active-duty members, their families, and the employees of the Department of War (DoW). NMCFHPC provides expertise and consultation to the DoW and Department of the Navy on force health protection and assists with monitoring the health and readiness of the force through its capabilities and Echelon V units. NMCFHPC also provides the DoW with expeditionary force health protection through its Forward Deployable Preventive Medicine Units (FDPMUs) which provide rapid, flexible, and scalable health protection capabilities in any climate across the globe. From identifying environmental and occupational health hazards to advising commanders on risk mitigation, NMCFHPC ensures operational forces remain medically ready and mission capable—anytime, anywhere.