What is radon and how does it affect you?
But there are some reliable ways you can keep your exposure low. 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. Radon is the second biggest cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking.
Does radon cause lung cancer?
Unfortunately the answer is very much yes. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S, just after smoking. According to the National Cancer Institute, scientists estimate that every year between 15,000 and 22,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States are related to radon.
Where does radon exposure come from?
For both adults and children, most exposure to radon comes from being indoors in homes, offices, schools, and other buildings. The levels of radon in homes and other buildings depend on the characteristics of the rock and soil in the area.
What is radon gas?
Radon is a radioactive gas you can't see, feel, taste, or smell. It starts out as uranium, a heavy metal found in the ground and most rocks on the planet. When uranium decays, it turns into another metal called radium. When radium breaks down, it becomes radon.
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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.
What does radon do to the human body?
When someone breathes in radon gas, it goes into their lungs, exposing them to small amounts of radiation. This may damage the cells in the lining of the lungs and increase a person's risk of lung cancer. The risk is higher in those who have lived for many years in a radon-contaminated house.
What are symptoms of exposure to radon?
A persistent cough could be a sign that you have radon poisoning.Persistent cough.Hoarseness.Wheezing.Shortness of breath.Coughing up blood.Chest pain.Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.Loss of appetite.More items...
What are the effects of high radon levels?
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. Radon is the second biggest cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking.
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.
What state has the most radon?
Radon is measured by its rate of decay, expressed as pCi/L (picocuries per liter)....Below are the top five states with the greatest radon levels based on data from several sources.Alaska: 10.7 pCi/L. ... South Dakota: 9.6 pCi/L. ... Pennsylvania: 8.6 pCi/L. ... Ohio: 7.8 pCi/L. ... Washington: 7.5 pCi/L.
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 get rid of radon in your 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.
Do air purifiers help with radon?
Air Purifiers are great for mold, dust, allergies, bacteria and viruses, and odors, but many people do not know that they can also help with toxins, gases and chemicals such as radon. The most important type of air filter to reduce radon levels is an activated carbon filter.
Does opening windows reduce radon?
As a temporary solution, however, you can reduce radon levels simply by opening windows. Opening windows improves air circulation and ventilation, helping move radon out of the house and mixing radon-free outside air with indoor air. Make sure all your basement windows are open.
Can radon cause anxiety?
In the United States, initial reports of radon-related deaths caused anxiety. Fairly quickly, the Environmental Protection Agency lowered 1986 estimates of radon-related deaths and the number of contaminated homes.
What does radon smell like?
Radon is a radioactive gas with no taste, smell or color. This means the human senses alone cannot detect it. That is why, although radon was discovered in 1899 and even back in 1530 Paracelsus noticed some health effects in miners, regulation and radon's connection to lung cancer are fairly new.
Do air purifiers help with radon?
Air Purifiers are great for mold, dust, allergies, bacteria and viruses, and odors, but many people do not know that they can also help with toxins, gases and chemicals such as radon. The most important type of air filter to reduce radon levels is an activated carbon filter.
How do you get rid of radon in your 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.
How long is too long for radon exposure?
Repeated exposure over time — around 20 years — can lead to cancer development, especially if you are also a smoker. Symptoms of lung cancer may include: Chest pain.
What does radon smell like?
Radon is a radioactive gas with no taste, smell or color. This means the human senses alone cannot detect it. That is why, although radon was discovered in 1899 and even back in 1530 Paracelsus noticed some health effects in miners, regulation and radon's connection to lung cancer are fairly new.
What is radon gas?
Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium, thorium, or radium, which are radioactive metals break down in rocks, soil and groundwater. People can be exposed to radon primarily from breathing radon in air that comes through cracks and gaps in buildings and homes. Because radon comes naturally from the earth, people are always exposed to it.
How to test for radon in home?
Having your home tested is the only effective way to determine whether you and your family are exposed to high levels of radon. Steps you can take to measure and reduce radon levels include: 1 Purchasing a radon test kit#N#Find a Radon Test Kit or Measurement and Mitigation Professional#N#external icon 2 Testing your home or office#N#Testing is inexpensive and easy — it should only take a few minutes of your time. It requires opening a package and placing a small measuring device in a room and leaving it there for the desired period. Short-term testing can take from a few days to 90 days. Long-term testing takes more than 90 days. The longer the test, the more relevant the results are to your home and lifestyle. 3 Sending the kit to appropriate sources to determine radon level#N#Follow the directions on the test kit packaging to find out where to send the device to get the results. 4 Fixing your home if radon levels are high#N#Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction: How to Fix Your Home#N#pdf icon#N#[413 KB]#N#external icon
What is the CDC's Radon Communication Toolkit?
CDC’s Radon Communication Toolkit is designed for environmental and public health professionals to use to increase awareness and understanding of radon, its health effects, and the importance of testing for radon among the communities they serve. The toolkit contains customizable fact sheets, infographics, newsletter articles, and social media posts. View large image and text description
What is the radon level in a home?
EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon in homes that have a radon level at or above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air (a “picocurie” is a common unit for measuring the amount of radioactivity).
How long does it take to get radon test results?
Long-term testing takes more than 90 days. The longer the test, the more relevant the results are to your home and lifestyle. Sending the kit to appropriate sources to determine radon level. Follow the directions on the test kit packaging to find out where to send the device to get the results.
Can you get lung cancer from burning wood?
Whether you burn wood, coal, or other substances that add particles to the indoor air. The chances of getting lung cancer are higher if your home has elevated rad on levels and you smoke or burn fuels that increase indoor particles. CDC’s Radon Communication Toolkit is designed for environmental and public health professionals to use ...
How does radon get into a house?
Radon can come up through the ground and into your home through cracks in the foundation. Once it’s through the cracks, it can get trapped inside, where it builds up. It can also get into your home through well water. Rarely, building materials have been found to release radon into buildings.
What is radon gas?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It’s produced when uranium, thorium, and radium break down in soil, rock, and water. It’s then released into the air. Radon is odorless, tasteless, and invisible. Radon can accumulate in some places where ventilation is inadequate, such as in an underground mine.
What causes hoarseness and chest pain?
hoarseness. chest pain, especially when you cough or laugh. frequent infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Over time, you may also experience loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. Radon comes in second.
What is a high radon level?
A radon level of 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) or more is considered high.
How long does it take for radon to develop?
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: Over time, you may also experience loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue.
How long does radon test take?
If you’re in a hurry, you can use a short-term test. Some of these tests measure radon for just 2 or 3 days, while others measure up to 90 days. For a short-term test, you’ll need to keep your windows and doors closed as much as possible and avoid fans that bring in air from the outside. Short-term devices include:
How to know if you have too much radon in your home?
The only way to know for sure if you have too much radon in your home is to test for it. You can do this on your own without the help of a professional.
How many people die from radon?
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Nationally, the EPA estimates that about 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. You can take steps to reduce and control the amount of radon in your home.
How does radon gas get trapped in a building?
Radon gas becomes trapped indoors after it enters buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Indoor radon can be controlled and managed with proven, cost-effective techniques. Breathing radon over time increases your risk of lung cancer.
Is radon dangerous?
Radon gas is inert, colorless and odorless. Radon is naturally in the atmosphere in trace amounts. Outdoors, radon disperses rapidly and, generally, is not a health issue.
What causes radon exposure?
When radioactive rocks and soil break down, they release radon gas. That gas can enter buildings through:
How does radon gas affect my body?
Breathing in high levels of radon over time can increase your risk of developing lung cancer. Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer, and radon exposure is estimated to be the second leading cause. About 20,000 people in the United States die from radon-related lung cancer every year.
What is radon?
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas. If a person is exposed to high levels over time, it can cause lung cancer.
Where is radon gas found?
Radon has been found in every state in the U.S. The amount or levels of radon varies across the country, depending on the kinds of rocks and soil in each area. Because of their working environment, miners are at increased risk for radon exposure.
How is radon exposure diagnosed?
No medical test is widely available to test the human body for radon exposure.
What can I do if the level of radon is high?
If the building's radon level is high (more than 148 Bq/m3 or 4 pCi/L), you should hire a professional for what is called radon mitigation services. These can reduce radon levels by as much as 99%. Possibilities include:
What is the outlook for people who have radon-related lung cancer?
A radon-related lung cancer would behave and be treated just as other cancers would be, depending on its type and stage.
Why is radon poisoning dangerous?
One reason that radon poisoning is so dangerous is that the symptoms can take a while to appear. Radon poisoning builds up very slowly in your body, so when the symptoms finally appear you can't afford to ignore them. All too often radon poisoning symptoms don't actually appear until you already have cancer or are quite close. This is why it is best to test for radon early, even if you haven't noticed symptoms yet.
What does it mean when you cough and you have radon?
A persistent cough could be a sign that you have radon poisoning. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking cigarettes are the leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and radon is the second leading cause. It is estimated that about 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year are caused by radon exposure.
What to do if you find radon in your home?
If they find dangerous levels of radon then they'll suggest you install a radon mitigation system . A properly installed radon mitigation system will harmlessly disperse the radon gas, making your home dramatically safer.
What to do if your home tests positive for radon?
If your home tests positive for a high level of radon then the next step is to install a radon mitigation system. A radon mitigation system can harmlessly disperse the radon in your home and make it safe to live in again. Luckily these systems are affordable to install and easy to maintain, allowing you to keep your family and home protected with minimal inconvenience.
How to prevent radon in home?
If they find dangerous levels of radon then they'll suggest you install a radon mitigation system. A properly installed radon mitigation system will harmlessly disperse the radon gas, making your home dramatically safer. The best part is that these mitigation systems are affordable to install and require minimal maintenance over their lifespan.
What to do after seeing a doctor for radon?
After you've seen your doctor you should make sure to schedule a radon test. A qualified radon contractor can help you discover if radon is the problem and let you know what level of radon is present in your home.
Who recommends radon testing?
The US Surgeon General, National Radon Defense, Health Canada, and the EPA recommends every home test for radon. Bless This Home book, by Curtis Drew Founder and President of National Radon Defense, is available for purchase on amazon.com. Learn More.
Where does radon come from?
Radon. Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium or thorium found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground and into the home through cracks in floors, walls and foundations. It can also be released from building materials or from well water.
How does radon get into the air?
Radon in Soil. Radon gets into the indoor air primari ly through pores and cracks in the soil under homes and other buildings. Usually, the air pressure in homes and buildings is lower than the pressure outside in the soil around or underneath the foundation. The pressure difference will create suction.
How many people die from radon exposure?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States each year. While other estimates might be higher or lower, there is general agreement that radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer after active smoking and the leading cause among non-smokers. Many radon-related lung cancer deaths can be prevented by testing for radon and taking the necessary steps to lower radon exposure in homes that have elevated radon levels. This process is known as radon mitigation.
What is the EPA recommended level of radon?
EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon in homes that have a radon level at or above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air (a “picocurie” is a common unit for measuring the amount of radioactivity).
How long does radon stay in your home?
Short-term radon test kits stay in your home for 2 to 90 days. A short-term test will give you quicker results, but it won’t tell you what your radon levels are throughout the year because radon levels change over the course of the day, with seasons, and with weather changes.
What is radon gas?
What is Radon? Radon is a gas that you cannot smell, taste or see. Radon forms naturally when uranium, thorium, or radium, (radioactive metals) breaks down in rocks, soil and groundwater. People can be exposed to radon primarily from breathing radon in air that comes through cracks and gaps in buildings and homes.
How to reduce radon in home?
Increase air flow in your house by opening windows and using fans and vents to circulate air. Natural ventilation in any type of house is only a temporary strategy to reduce radon.
