R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-61-1: Legislative intent.

The general assembly recognizes that radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, and radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil and groundwater; that radon enters homes and buildings through openings in foundations, decays to form radon progeny, and unless vented to the atmosphere, accumulates in buildings and becomes hazardous to human health, and prolonged exposure to elevated concentrations of radon decay products has been associated with increases in the risk of lung cancer. The general assembly recognizes that there is a need to protect human health and prevent exposure to elevated concentrations of radon.