Radon is a byproduct of the radioactive element uranium. It occurs naturally in soil, rocks and other natural settings in small amounts. Radon becomes dangerous when it accumulates in enclosed areas like homes and underground mines and is breathed into the lungs, where it causes cancer and other diseases. Many scientific studies of radon's health effects involved miners--who are at a greater risk for exposure than home dwellers--though the effects in both populations are well-documented. Understanding the dangers in radon exposure can help prevent unnecessary risks associated with the substance.
Characteristics
Radon is a type of gas present in water, rocks and soil. It is tasteless, odorless and invisible to the eye, making it impossible to detect without special testing equipment.
Radon causes dangerous health effects when it decays into other elements like polonium-214, which emit radioactive particles that are extremely harmful to the lungs.
Health Effects
Radon can cause detrimental effects to lung tissue. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the primary cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers and the second overall cause of the disease. Approximately 21,000 deaths are attributed to radon each year, roughly 2,900 of which occur in nonsmokers.
In addition to lung cancer, radon gas can damage the respiratory tract in other ways. Emphysema, respiratory lesions, chronic pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis may also result from radon exposure, according to the University of Minnesota.
Risk Factors
Radon exposure usually occurs in homes where the gas has seeped from the soil into the structure via cracks in walls, concrete floors and sump pumps. High levels of radon in the ground water may increase overall exposures, as can living in homes built on sites with uranium-rich rocks or granite. Showering with well water may increase overall amounts of radon in the home, though this risk is relatively small in comparison with exposure from soil.
Basements and ground-level floors generally have the highest concentrations of radon. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, chronic exposures to small amounts of radon over time are more likely to cause lung cancer than acute high-level exposures.
Prevention/Solution
The only way to tell if your home contains dangerous levels of radon is to test for it. Hardware stores, online merchants and other outlets offer easy-to-use radon testing kits. If you're planning to sell or buy a home, a radon testing professional can perform the tests quickly and accurately for you.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, installing a fan and vent pipe system can be an effective solution for removing radon from the home. Seal up all visible cracks in walls and floors, and open windows, vents and doors periodically to help circulate fresh air through your home. The cost and effectiveness of various radon removal techniques can vary greatly depending on your home's construction and location.
Warning
Attempting to construct a self-made radon removal system can worsen the problem if done incorrectly, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. If test results indicate radon levels exceeding four pico curies per liter of air or higher, consider hiring a contractor to install a radon removal system for you.
