Radon is a natural [soil] gas, which is: colorless, odorless, and carcinogenic.  Radon enters buildings from below and it raises from the earth.  When this gas is inhaled, the decaying radon gas separates into radioactive radon decay products (RDPs).  These RDPs, contain alpha- and beta- radiation and damage the lining of the lungs over time.
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Long-term exposure to radon may lead to lung cancer.  The Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Department of Nuclear Services (IEMA) and United States Department of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have identified the lung cancer mortality rate from radon exposure to be approximately 21,000.