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Understanding Radon: Health Risks, Symptoms, and Prevention

Radon is a radioactive gas that you cannot see, feel, taste, or smell. It is formed when uranium, a heavy metal found in the ground and most rocks, decays into radium, which then breaks down into radon. This gas can enter the air and water around you, and while small amounts are usually harmless, large amounts of radon can cause serious health problems.

How Radon Affects Your Health

When you breathe in radon, it enters the lining of your lungs and emits radiation. Over an extended period, this radiation can damage the cells in your lungs and lead to lung cancer. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking. If you are exposed to high levels of radon and also smoke, your risk of developing lung cancer is significantly increased.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), approximately 21,000 people die each year from lung cancer related to radon exposure. While some research has suggested a link between radon and other types of cancer, such as childhood leukemia, the evidence for this is not as clear.

Symptoms of Radon Exposure

One of the most concerning aspects of radon exposure is that you will not experience immediate symptoms. Instead, health problems, such as lung cancer, may develop after many years of exposure. Symptoms of lung cancer may include:

  • A persistent cough

  • Shortness of breath

  • Wheezing that does not go away

  • Coughing up blood

  • Chest pain

  • Unexplained weight loss

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is essential to consult your doctor. There are no routine medical tests that can detect radon exposure, and no treatments can remove it from your body. However, if you suspect you have been exposed to high levels of radon, discuss with your doctor whether you should undergo tests to check for signs of lung cancer.

How You Are Exposed to Radon

Radon can enter buildings, such as homes, schools, and offices, through cracks in floors or walls, or small openings for pipes or wires that are not properly sealed. Radon levels are often highest in basements and crawl spaces because they are closest to the ground. The EPA estimates that nearly 1 out of 15 houses in the United States has elevated levels of radon.

Some building materials, like concrete and wallboard, and even granite countertops, can emit low levels of radon. While these sources may slightly increase the radon level in your home, they are unlikely to cause dangerous levels. Certain occupations, such as those involving underground work or handling phosphate fertilizers, may also expose you to higher levels of radon.

Protecting Yourself from Radon

The best way to protect yourself and your family from radon exposure is to test your home or office using a radon kit. These kits can measure radon levels over a few days or several months. You simply place a small measuring device in a room and then send it to a lab for analysis. Alternatively, you can hire a professional to test your home or workplace for you. The EPA website provides a list of approved contractors in each state.

Radon levels are measured in picocuries (pCi/L). If the level in your home or office is higher than 4 pCi/L, action is required. To confirm the results, run another short- or long-term test. If the levels remain high, contact a certified professional to discuss repairs, such as sealing cracks or installing a ventilation system to prevent radon from accumulating indoors.

By understanding the risks associated with radon exposure and taking proactive steps to test and mitigate high levels, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from this silent but potentially deadly threat.

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