Is radon harmful when inhaled?
The radioactive elements formed by the decay of radon can be inhaled and enter our lungs. Inside the lungs, these elements continue to decay and emit radiation, most importantly alpha particles. These are absorbed by the nearby lung tissues and cause localised damage. This damage can lead to lung cancer. The evidence radon is harmful
Does radon really cause lung cancer?
When inhaled, these radioactive particles can damage the cells that line the lung. Long-term exposure to radon can lead to lung cancer, the only cancer proven to be associated with inhaling radon. There has been a suggestion of increased risk of leukemia associated with radon exposure in adults and children; however, the evidence is not conclusive.
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Does radon aggravate asthma?
Radon particles can even make asthma worse. Both long-term and short-term exposure can cause health problems such as reduced lung function and more asthma attacks.
Can radon cause respiratory issues?
Elevated levels of indoor radon increases the risk of lung cancer. Radon gas decays into solid radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you inhale them. As they break down further , these particles release small bursts of energy.
Can radon cause wheezing?
wheezing (Shortness of breath or wheezing when breathing is important to document when combined with other radon exposure symptoms.) hoarseness (Voice loss or hoarseness when accompanied with other exposure symptoms should be documented so that it can be evaluated by your physician.)
What illnesses can radon cause?
Lung cancer is the only established human health effect currently associated with exposure to increased radon levels. The risk of lung cancer due to radon exposure is second only to that of smoking.
How long does it take for radon to affect you?
Radon gas can damage cells in your lungs, which can lead to cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States, though it usually takes 5 to 25 years to develop. Early signs and symptoms of lung cancer may include: persistent cough.
Can you recover from radon exposure?
Unfortunately there is no cure for radon poisoning. Radon enters the body as in the form of tiny particles. These particles enter the lungs where they release alpha radiation that can damage lung cells and lead to lung cancer. The damage caused by the radiation cannot be reversed.
How do you know if radon is affecting you?
If you think you've been exposed Possible symptoms include shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing. If you smoke and you know you've been exposed to high levels of radon, it's very important to quit smoking.
Does radon show up in blood test?
There are no symptoms, signs, or laboratory tests that are specific to radon poisoning. There are specialized tests that can detect radon in your urine, bones, and blood, but the results of these tests only tell if you were recently exposed to radon.
How do you reduce radon in a home?
Other Ways to Reduce RadonIncrease air flow in your house by opening windows and using fans and vents to circulate air. ... Seal cracks in floors and walls with plaster, caulk, or other materials designed for this purpose.
What is the biggest health risk associated with radon?
Radon is a major cause of lung cancer. It is estimated that radon causes between 3% to 14% of all lung cancers in a country, depending on the national average radon level and the smoking prevalence. An increased rate of lung cancer was first seen in uranium miners exposed to very high concentrations of radon.
Where is radon most commonly found?
Radon is present outdoors and is normally found at very low levels in outdoor air and in surface water, such as rivers and lakes. It can be found at higher levels in the air in houses and other buildings, as well as in water from underground sources, such as private well water.
What are the side effects of radon poisoning?
As a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, radon is undetectable by human senses. Radon poisoning does not cause the same harmful, obvious symptoms as other radioactive substances. Instead, radon exposure can lead to the development of lung cancer.
What are the symptoms of breathing radon gas?
If you think you've been exposed Possible symptoms include shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing. If you smoke and you know you've been exposed to high levels of radon, it's very important to quit smoking.
How does radon affect the lungs?
Radon decays quickly, giving off tiny radioactive particles. When inhaled, these radioactive particles can damage the cells that line the lung. Long-term exposure to radon can lead to lung cancer, the only cancer proven to be associated with inhaling radon.
Does radon cause congestion?
That makes radon the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. But even minor symptoms like headaches, feeling unusually tired, itching or burning eyes, irritated skin, nasal congestion, a dry throat or nausea could be due to your home's indoor air quality.
What are the side effects of radon poisoning?
As a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, radon is undetectable by human senses. Radon poisoning does not cause the same harmful, obvious symptoms as other radioactive substances. Instead, radon exposure can lead to the development of lung cancer.
What is needed to check for radon?
Tools are needed to check for radon. Radon testing must be performed by a professional radon inspector to ensure accurate evaluation. Mitigating radon would usually be recommended by professionals if the radon concentration is high.
Is radon poisoning dangerous?
As radon reaches a dangerous concentration level in a home (4 pCi/L or above) the health risk of radon poisoning increases. The health impact of radon poisoning is not obvious until the situation is grave. Radon in the air can further break into tiny radioactive elements that can lodge in the lining of the lungs releasing radiation directly to the tissues and damaging its cells. The accelerated deterioration of the lung tissues can have a serious impact on someone struggling with a respiratory illness, such as asthma.
Does Atlantic Radon have radon mitigation?
Improve your home’s indoor air quality and stop worrying about your radon levels. Atlantic Radon offers radon inspection and mitigation. Our qualified technicians are certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program.
What are the two studies that confirm the radon health risks?
Two studies, a North American study and a European study, both combined data from several previous residential studies. These two studies go a step beyond earlier findings. They confirm the radon health risks predicted by occupational studies of underground miners who breathed radon for a period of years.
Who issued the Advisory on Radon?
(January 13, 2005) U.S. Surgeon General, Richard H. Carmona, issues a Health Advisory warning Americans about the health risk from exposure to radon in indoor air. The Chief Physician urged Americans to test their homes to find out how much radon they might be breathing.
How many people die from lung cancer from smoking?
For smokers the risk of lung cancer is significant due to the synergistic effects of radon and smoking. For this population about 62 people in a 1,000 will die of lung-cancer, compared to 7.3 people in a 1,000 for never smokers. Put another way, a person who never smoked (never smoker) who is exposed to 1.3 pCi/L has a 2 in 1,000 chance of lung cancer; while a smoker has a 20 in 1,000 chance of dying from lung cancer.
What is the third leading cause of lung cancer?
On January 13, 2005, Dr. Richard H. Carmona, the U.S. Surgeon General, issued a national health advisory on radon . Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of lung cancer and responsible for an estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths every year. Smoking affects non-smokers by exposing them to secondhand smoke.
When did lung cancer become the number one cause of death among women?
And the rate among women is rising. On January 11, 1964, Dr. Luther L. Terry, then U.S. Surgeon General, issued the first warning on the link between smoking and lung cancer. Lung cancer now surpasses breast cancer as the number one cause of death among women.
Is radon a serious health problem?
This report by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is the most definitive accumulation of scientific data on indoor radon. The report confirms that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and that it is a serious public health problem.
Who is the author of the Iowa radon study?
Read the "Iowa Radon Lung Cancer Study " by Dr. William Field on radon-related lung cancer in women.
How Does Radon Affect Your Health?
When you breathe in radon, it gets into the lining of your lungs and gives off radiation. Over a long time, that can damage the cells there and lead to lung cancer.
What happens when you breathe in radon?
When you breathe in radon, it gets into the lining of your lungsand gives off radiation. Over a long time, that can damage the cells there and lead to lung cancer.
What Are the Symptoms of Radon Exposure?
You won’t have symptoms of radon poisoning right away. Instead, health problems from the exposure, such as lung cancer, show up after many years.
How Are You Exposed to Radon?
Buildings, like your home, school, or office, are built into the ground. If there are cracks in floors or walls, or small openings for pipes or wires that aren't fully sealed, radon can escape the soil and get indoors. Though it can get trapped in any enclosed area, radon levels are often highest in basements and crawl spaces because they're closest to the ground. Experts say that nearly 1 out of 15 houses in the U.S. has elevated levels of radon.
How many people die from lung cancer from radon?
If you breathe a lot of radon and smoke, your chance of getting lung cancer is very high. About 21,000 people die each year from lung cancer related to radon. Some research has linked radon to other kinds of cancer, like childhood leukemia, but the evidence for that isn’t as clear.
How long does it take to test for radon in your home?
You can test your home or office with a radon kit. Some will measure levels for a few days, and others can gather the data for at least 3 months. You leave a small measuring device in a room, and then send it to a lab. You can also hire a professional to test your home or workplace for you. The Environmental Protection Agency website has a list of approved contractors in each state.
What happens when radium breaks down?
When radium breaks down, it becomes radon. Radon gas leaves the soil and becomes part of the air and water. It can be in the air around you, but it’s usually in very small amounts that aren't harmful. Large amounts of radon cause health problems.
What is radon gas?
What Is Radon? Radon is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas that causes lung cancer. Radon can reside at dangerous levels inside homes, schools and other buildings. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after smoking.
Where does radon come from?
Because radon comes from rock and soil, it can be found anywhere. Exposure to limited concentrations, like those found outdoors, is impossible to avoid. However, when radon gets trapped indoors, it may exist in dangerous concentrations.
How does radon form?
Once formed, radon enters a home through cracks in walls, basement floors, foundations and other openings. As radon decays, it releases radioactive byproducts that are inhaled and can cause lung cancer.
How to find a certified radon tester?
If you prefer, hire a certified radon-testing professional. The best way to find a certified professional is to contact your state radon program. EPA has an interactive map with contact information for state radon agencies.
How to protect your home from radon?
If you have an existing home with elevated levels of radon, you can fix the problem by having a radon mitigation system installed . A radon mitigation system consists of a vent pipe, fan and the proper sealing of cracks.
What is the number to call for radon testing in Illinois?
Call the Illinois Radon Hotline at 1-800-325-1245. Operating hours are 8:30 am (CST) through 4:30 pm (CST). If you are calling after standard operating hours, the automated messaging service will record your message and a staff member will return your call.
How to detect radon in home?
The only way to detect a buildup of radon in your home is to test the air. Various forms of do-it-yourself test kits and digital detectors are simple to use and inexpensive. See where to get a radon test kit below. Short-term tests typically take two to seven days.
How many people die from radon gas inhalation?
In fact, recent studies have highlighted the fact that radon gas inhalation kills nearly 20,000 individuals in the United States every year. The irony lies in the fact that the signs of radon gas poisoning are not clearly obvious. Small amount of radon can be easily ...
What is the sign of radon gas poisoning?
Coughing. Coughing is another common sign linked with radon gas poisoning. Most victims start off with mild coughing . Over a period of time, the coughing progresses to such a level that a person omits blood during the process.
Is radon poisonous to humans?
Signs of Radon Gas Poisoning. Radon is an odorless and invisible radioactive gas that can make way into your home through gaps and cracks, and thereby pose grave health risks. Those with weak immune system are more prone to develop serious health complications by inhaling this poisonous gas.
Can radon gas be absorbed?
The irony lies in the fact that the signs of radon gas poisoning are not clearly obvious. Small amount of radon can be easily absorbed by our body without the presence of noticeable symptoms. Once inside the body, the radon breaks down into lead that penetrates into our lungs.
Can radon get worse?
Radon gas affected person will experience one or combinations of the symptoms outlined above. Needless to say, the condition can get worse upon non-treatment, which is why one must seek medical attention as soon as possible. Experts reckon that one should take all kinds of necessary precautions to stay immune from the health hazards of radon gas. Testing your home and building for radon levels is an effective practice that should be followed over here.
Can radon gas cause pneumonia?
Two of the most common respiratory issues that a person can develop due to radon gas inhalation are pneumonia and bronchitis. It’s a must to treat these conditions at the earliest because the conditions can worsen upon non treatment. The fact that radon gas affects our lungs, one can get severely prone to a host of other respiratory issues.
