Radon Action Month: Jackie Nixon’s Lung Cancer Survivor Story and Why Radon Testing Saves Lives
Every January, Radon Action Month serves as a crucial reminder that one of the most significant health risks in our homes is also one of the most invisible.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell, or taste, yet it is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
Behind these statistics are real people and real stories. One of them is Jackie Nixon, a lung cancer survivor and radon awareness advocate whose experience shows why radon testing truly saves lives.
Jackie Nixon’s Story: A Lung Cancer Survivor Raising Radon Awareness
Jackie Nixon never expected to hear the words “you have lung cancer.” Like many people diagnosed with lung cancer linked to radon exposure, she was not a smoker, and she had never been warned that her home could be putting her health at risk.
After her diagnosis, Jackie learned about radon and its role in lung cancer diagnosis. Instead of keeping that knowledge to herself, she turned it into a mission to help others.
Today, Jackie is a nationally recognized radon awareness advocate and the president of Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction (CR3), a non-profit organization. She also helps educate the public about radon-related health risks at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Jackie also participates in Ecosense’s Radon‑Free Campaign, helping amplify the message that no family should unknowingly live with dangerous radon levels. As both an advocate and a lung cancer survivor, Jackie uses the EcoQube radon monitor that continuously measures real-time radon levels in the home.
Her story is a powerful reminder that radon exposure does not discriminate by age, lifestyle, or smoking history. The common thread among many survivors is simple: they didn’t know radon was there.
Radon and Lung Cancer: Why Radon Testing Saves Lives
Radon-related lung cancer risk is well documented by public health agencies. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Long-term exposure to elevated radon levels significantly increases lung cancer risk, even in people with no smoking history.
Radon forms naturally as uranium breaks down in soil and rock beneath homes. When it seeps indoors through cracks in foundations, sump pits, crawl spaces, or even well water, it can accumulate to dangerous levels — especially in basements and lower living areas.
When radon gas is inhaled, its radioactive particles damage lung tissue over time. This long-term exposure significantly increases the risk of lung cancer.
According to public health data:
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Radon causes around 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S.
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1 in 15 homes has elevated radon levels.
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Children may be at higher risk due to faster breathing rates and longer lifetime exposure.
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Pets are also vulnerable, as they spend more time close to the floor where radon levels can be higher.
The most alarming part? Most people with elevated radon levels have no idea the gas is present in their homes.
Why Continuous Radon Monitoring Matters for Your Home
Because radon-related lung cancer develops after years of exposure, early awareness is critical. Radon levels can fluctuate daily, seasonally, and room to room, which is why continuous radon monitoring is one of the most effective ways to understand long-term radon risk in your home.
The good news is that radon-related lung cancer is largely preventable.
Testing your home is the only way to know your radon levels. Continuous radon monitoring provides the clearest picture of your family’s ongoing exposure.
If high levels are detected, proven mitigation systems can significantly reduce radon concentrations — often within days.
Radon testing is not just a one-time event. Homes change, weather conditions shift, and renovations can impact airflow. Ongoing monitoring ensures that mitigation systems remain effective and that new risks don’t go unnoticed.
Take Action During Radon Action Month
Jackie Nixon’s story is a powerful reminder that radon risk often goes unnoticed—until it’s too late. The most effective way to protect your family is to monitor radon continuously, not just once.
EcoQube is a smart, continuous radon monitor that tracks real-time radon levels in your home and alerts you when levels rise, so you can take action early.
✔ See real-time radon trends
✔ Understand long-term exposure, not just a snapshot
✔ Monitor changes season to season
✔ Protect children and pets who may be more vulnerable
This Radon Action Month, don’t guess. Know your numbers.
👉 Start monitoring your home for radon with EcoQube
Frequently Asked Questions About Radon and Lung Cancer
What is the link between radon and lung cancer?
Radon-related lung cancer occurs when radioactive radon gas is inhaled over long periods of time. Radon decay particles damage lung tissue, increasing the risk of lung cancer. The EPA and CDC recognize radon as a leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
Can radon cause lung cancer in non-smokers?
Yes. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Many radon lung cancer survivors, including advocates like Jackie Nixon, were never smokers and had no idea radon was present in their homes.
How common is radon-related lung cancer?
Radon-related lung cancer causes tens of thousands of deaths each year in the U.S. Approximately 1 in 15 homes has elevated radon levels that may increase lung cancer risk.
How do I know if radon is a risk in my home?
The only way to know is to test your home. Short-term tests provide a snapshot, while continuous radon monitors track ongoing exposure and fluctuations over time.
Can radon-related lung cancer be prevented?
In many cases, yes. Radon lung cancer is largely preventable. Testing, continuous monitoring, and installing a radon mitigation system when levels are high can significantly reduce radon exposure and lung cancer risk.
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Don’t wait for symptoms. Don’t rely on guesswork. This January, take action during Radon Action Month and start monitoring your home with EcoQube—because radon-related lung cancer is preventable when you have the right information.