Have you ever wondered how someone who never smoked a day in their life developed lung cancer? While secondhand smoke might account for some cases, a naturally occurring radioactive gas is the true silent killer. The gas in question, radon, has remained largely unnoticed by the public despite its lethal potential. However, thanks to the work of Insoo Park, founder and CEO of EcoSense, people are beginning to understand the danger radon poses and, most importantly, how to detect and address it.

In this episode of Innovation Saves Lives with Leonard Kim, Park shared his journey from the semiconductor industry to environmental advocacy. His shift in focus occurred after a personal tragedy: losing a close friend to lung cancer. Park’s discovery that radon exposure was responsible for 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the United States inspired him to take action, leading to the creation of innovative radon detection technology.

From Semiconductors to Saving Lives

For over 17 years, Park worked in the semiconductor industry, where he helped lead three startups to successful exits. Two companies went public, and the third was acquired by Broadcom. However, in 2017, Park lost his best friend, Andrew, to cancer. This life-changing event, coupled with learning about the dangers of radon from a mutual friend, spurred Park into researching the issue further.

Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that comes from the soil and bedrock beneath homes. As Park explained during the interview, “Radon is something you cannot smell and you cannot taste, and it’s often called the silent killer because it comes to your home without your knowledge.” Due to differences in air pressure between the indoor and outdoor environments, radon seeps through cracks in the foundation of homes, particularly during weather changes or when doors and windows are closed at night.

Lung cancer caused by radon typically develops after long-term exposure, with symptoms emerging 10 to 15 years later. One example Park highlighted was the story of Bill Johnson, a 44-year-old athlete from Utah, who was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer despite having never smoked. After testing his home, Johnson discovered it had dangerously high levels of radon.

Revolutionizing Radon Detection with EcoSense

Before EcoSense’s technology was developed, testing for radon involved outdated methods like charcoal canisters and alpha-track testing. These methods required homeowners to place canisters in their homes for several days and then wait weeks for lab results. These tests often failed to account for the fluctuating nature of radon levels, which can vary throughout the day and night.

Park and his team introduced the EcoCube, a digital radon detector capable of providing real-time hourly readings. Unlike older methods that gave only a 24-hour average, EcoCube delivers results in just 10 minutes, and users can receive reliable data within an hour. This breakthrough innovation was recognized with the CES Innovation Award and named one of Time’s 100 Best Inventions.

Park explained that other digital monitors available on the market offer only 24-hour averages and take up to seven days to produce reliable results, whereas EcoCube provides hourly updates in as little as 10 minutes. “My devices can capture constantly changing radon levels,” Park stated. This real-time monitoring is critical because radon levels tend to spike during the night, when homes are closed and people are more vulnerable.

Protecting the Most Vulnerable

Radon exposure is particularly harmful to children, who breathe faster than adults and have weaker immune systems. Park noted that “the dangerous level of radon to kids is two times, three times more dangerous” than it is for adults. While radon testing is mandatory in schools in 13 states, the remaining 37 states lack such regulations, leaving many children at risk of exposure in both homes and schools.

Park, who is part of the non-profit organization CR3, is actively pushing for stronger government regulations and mandatory radon testing in schools and homes nationwide. While progress has been made, Park acknowledges that more needs to be done to protect families from the long-term dangers of radon exposure.

Building a Safer Future with EcoSense

As public awareness around radon grows, Park has expanded EcoSense’s product line to offer a range of consumer and professional-grade products. In addition to the EcoCube, EcoSense has introduced Wi-Fi-enabled devices that continuously monitor radon levels and provide real-time alerts. Park believes that constant monitoring is essential, especially since radon levels can fluctuate dramatically based on weather conditions and structural changes to a home’s foundation.

“We give them alert, sound alert, different notifications so that they know when their levels are exceeding the recommended level, so that they can do an immediate proper action,” Park said.

By combining radon data with other indoor air quality measurements, such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds, EcoSense aims to provide consumers with a comprehensive understanding of the environmental risks in their homes. Over time, the company hopes to contribute to the creation of more detailed radon maps and push for stricter federal and state regulations.

The Road Ahead

Park envisions a future where radon detection systems become as standard in homes as smoke detectors. He is also advocating for radon to be included in home insurance plans, further emphasizing the importance of radon testing for all homeowners.

Radon is not a one-time problem, and EcoSense’s technology has revolutionized how we monitor and respond to this invisible threat. As awareness grows, Park remains hopeful that more families will take action to protect themselves and their loved ones from the dangers of radon.

“Radon is totally preventable,” Insoo Park concludes. “So, yeah, you should be checking your radon levels then spread the word.”