Radon is a radioactive gas found in soil and rocks. Considered a human health hazard, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has deemed no level of exposure to radon is safe; therefore, its use is restricted. However, this may be an oversimplification of the data, and may not take into account potential benefits of small-dose exposure. The use of radon gas for medicinal purposes has a long history and appears to show a number of benefits. Radon is also used as a source of neutrons for research purposes.
Radon in Research
Radon exists in several different isotopes. Isotopes are atoms of the same element having different numbers of neutrons. When radon decays, it emits an alpha-particle. When alpha particles collide with low-atomic weight isotopes of lithium, beryllium, carbon and oxygen, neutrons are released. Radon can be used as the alpha-particle emitting source to release neutrons.
Neutrons are used for a variety of research projects, from understanding nuclear reactions to developing nuclear weapons. Studying the absorption of neutrons helps understand fission in uranium-235 and plutonium-239.
Treatment of Arthritis
Low-dose radon exposure in humans has been shown to alleviate the pain and functional restrictions associated with arthritis and to sustain these improvements over a significant period of time. A placebo-controlled study on 60 patients experiencing the symptoms of arthritis was reported in the journal Rheumatology in 2000. They were assigned to either a series of 15 radon-exposing bath treatments, or bath treatments without radon. Immediately post-treatment, pain and functional restriction was the same between the two groups. However, six months post-treatment, there were marked differences. The radon-bath receiving group experienced statistically significant sustained effects from the treatment, compared to the controls.
Treatment or Prevention of Cancer
High doses and long-term exposure to radon is associated with increases in lung cancer. However, there are also several studies that indicate cancer rates decrease in populations exposed to low levels of radiation.
In the United States, the use of radon for medical treatments, including cancer, does exist, but not in sanctioned medical facilities. Cancer patients are known to visit a rustic radon mine located in Montana. Because of the stigma associated with purposeful exposure to radon, lack of insurance coverage and the culture against alternative medical therapies, it is difficult to obtain precise data on the positive or negative effects of this treatment.
However, in Europe and Japan, radon-bath spas are part of prescribed medical care. The evidence that low-dose exposure to radon can help cancer patients is suggested by the strikingly low incidence of cancer in people living in certain Japanese villages where the drinking water contains high concentrations of radon and indoor radon level is about three times higher than the national average.
Chronic Illnesses
There are a variety of other chronic illnesses for which radon treatments have been prescribed in various parts of Europe. These include inflammatory rheumatic illnesses, chronic polyarthritis, fibromyalgia, scleroderma, degenerative and deforming joint infections, neuralgia, chronic pain, respiratory diseases and allergies. In addition, patients have also been prescribed radon treatment for conditions of the endocrine system, menopausal symptoms, peripheral blood vessel disease and impotence.
