Cause of Deaths in the U.S.
Home inspectors are often asked by their clients if they should have their home tested for radon. Real-world loss-of-life comparisons help consumers decide about whether or not they should test. If you are worried about shark attacks, getting trampled by cows, or terrorism, you should be worried sick about radon. These statistics help put things in their proper perspective so that your clients can decide if they want a radon test or not. Here is a downloadable PDF that inspectors can give to their clients onsite to help them decide if they should get a radon test: https://www.nachi.org/documents2012/radon-deaths-chart.pdf
DEATHS PER YEAR
Number | Cause | Source |
|---|---|---|
611,105 | Heart Disease | Centers for Disease Control (2015) |
584,881 | All Cancers | Centers for Disease Control (2015) |
160,000 | Smoking | American Cancer Society (2004) |
88,000 | Alcohol Use | Centers for Disease Control (2015) |
51,783 | Colon Cancer | Centers for Disease Control (2015) |
41,149 | Suicide | Centers for Disease Control (2014) |
40,290 | Breast Cancer | National Cancer Institute (2015) |
32,719 | Motor Vehicle Accidents | Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (2013) |
29,500 | Falls | National Safety Council (2013) |
22,767 | Prescription Drug Overdoses | National Institute on Drug Abuse (2013) |
21,840 | Leukemia | U.S. EPA (2010) |
21,530 | Lymphoma | U.S. EPA (2010) |
21,000 | Lung Cancer from Radon Gas | U.S. EPA |
16,121 | Homicides | Centers for Disease Control (2013) |
14,775 | Illegal Drug Overdoses | National Institute on Drug Abuse (2013) |
13,712 | AIDS | Centers for Disease Control (2012) |
11,208 | Firearm Homicides | Centers for Disease Control (2013) |
8,257 | Heroin Overdoses | National Institute on Drug Abuse (2013) |
4,944 | Cocaine Overdoses | National Institute on Drug Abuse (2013) |
3,880 | Drowning | Centers for Disease Control (avg. 2005-2009) |
3,005 | Fires | U.S. Fire Administration (2011) |
3,000 | Secondhand Smoke | U.S. EPA |
2,500 | Choking | National Safety Council (2009) |
1,690 | Thyroid Cancer | U.S. EPA (2010) |
630 | Bicycle Accidents | National Safety Council (2009) |
618 | Excessive Heat | Centers for Disease Control (avg. 1999-2010) |
606 | Firearm Accidents | Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence (2010) |
376 | ATV Accidents | National Safety Council (2009) |
300 | Ladder Falls | International Association of Certified Home Inspectors |
170 | Carbon Monoxide | Consumer Product Safety Commission |
104 | Wind (including tornadoes) | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2012) |
100 | Scalding Tap Water | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (2013) |
100 | Bee Stings | Boston Children's Hospital |
72 | Terrorist Attacks | FBI (avg. 1970-2015) |
26 | Lightning | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2014) |
20 | Dangerous Cows | Centers for Disease Control (2009) |
15 | Falling Icicles | Death in Society Research Foundation |
12 | High School and College Football Injuries | National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research (2013) |
2 | Vending Machines Accidents | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
1 | Shark Attacks | Mother Nature Network (2012) |
0 | Marijuana Overdoses | Numerous sources |
0 | Nuclear Power Plant Leaks | Numerous sources |
