Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that is present all over the world. As naturally occurring uranium in soil and rocks breaks down over time, it releases radon gas, which finds its way into the air we breathe. Radon also finds its way into homes, where it pollutes the air and can lead to serious health problems over time.
Lung Cancer
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, known as the EPA, radon gas exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. When people breathe radon gas, it decays within the lungs into smaller radioactive particles. These particles often become trapped in the lungs, where they cause cancerous cells to grow. Lung cancer often takes years to develop. If you are exposed to radon gas in your youth, you may develop cancer 20 to 30 years later. Lung cancer is one of the most deadly and least treatable types of cancer. Smokers who are exposed to radon gas are approximately 10 times more likely to develop lung cancer than nonsmokers who experience the same radon exposure levels, according to the EPA.
Respiratory Effects
Not everyone who is exposed to radon gas develops lung cancer; however, people who never get lung cancer may experience other health effects as a result of radon gas exposure. According to the University of Minnesota, radon gas exposure is linked to emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis, even in nonsmokers. Pulmonary fibrosis is a potentially deadly scarring of the lungs that can dramatically impact quality of life and may require a lung transplant in severe cases. Radon exposure can also lead to other types of lung disease, including chronic pneumonia, silicosis or lesions on the lungs. Silicosis, an inflammation of the lungs, can be disabling or deadly in severe cases and may make an individual more susceptible to emphysema or lung cancer.
Genetic Effects
Radon gas has also been linked to genetic changes and teratogenic effects according to the EPA. Teratogenic effects usually comprise birth defects, but they may also include learning disabilities or developmental problems. The physical deformities develop and are present even before birth. Examples include cleft palates and physical malformations such as missing or additional limbs or incompletely formed cardiovascular organs. People who are exposed to radon gas may experience DNA, or genetic, changes that can affect the health of their offspring or cause cellular changes within their own bodies over time.
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