Radon is a radioactive gas, and that leads common people to question its presence. Like, what are the odds that radon could exist in my home? Well, very much. The gas has no color, odor, or taste. This means you can’t detect it on your own. But need a professional help.
Many people just prefer ignoring the need to test radon. If you’re one of those, this blog is for you. Radon is a proven menace to your health, causing life-threatening diseases like lung cancer. No matter whether you’re a smoker or non-smoker, radon gas will keep damaging your health.
In this blog by Top To Bottom Services, we will be discussing the risks associated with radon exposure. You can educate yourself on the symptoms of radon hazards and entry points of its exposure in your home. We will also discuss how does radon affect your health and how to protect yourself.
So, without any further ado, let’s get started.
Health Hazards Associated with Radon
Radon has several entry points that might go unnoticed by you. It seeps into your home through cracks, gaps, or holes in floors, walls, cables, pipes, and more. As you breathe in radon, it decays into radioactive particles that can damage lung tissue. There are several health hazards associated with radon’s long-term exposure. Here are some of these health problems:
Lung Cancer
Did you know radon is the top factor to blame for lung cancer among non-smokers? According to the EPA, radon causes over 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year. As per EPA stats, radon levels of 20 pCi /L can cause lung cancer in 260 smoking people. Bringing this level to 1.3 pCi /L, at least 20 people can still get lung cancer. Not even Non-smokers can avoid lung cancer due to radon. At 20 pCi/L, 36 non-smokers can get lung cancer, while at 1.3 pCi /L, two people can be affected by lung cancer.
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Radon exposure can cause scarring of lung tissue called pulmonary fibrosis. It’s a non-cancerous disease but leads to reduced lung capacity and difficulty breathing. Contacting with radon can trigger inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs. People with pulmonary fibrosis may experience shortness of breath, long-lasting cough, and fatigue. This can taper off their quality of life.
Leukemia
Recent research links radon exposure to acute leukemia. When someone is in contact with radon gas for a longer period of time, they are more at risk for leukemia. This risk is higher in children and people with genetic predispositions.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Inhaling radon irritates and triggers the lining of the lungs. This increases the chances of respiratory illnesses like colds, flu, and COPD. People with COPD often experience difficulty breathing, wheezing, and frequent respiratory infections, leading to a reduced quality of life and increased mortality risk.
How Does Radon Affect Your Health?
Common people often stay unaware of how does radon affect your health. This is why you must be aware of the signs or symptoms that your home is under radon threat. You may notice cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, or fatigue. But, these symptoms are similar to many other conditions. Radon-induced illness often goes undiagnosed.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
The good news is that radon exposure is preventable. Protecting yourself and your family from radon exposure will need your proactive measures. You can check your home’s radon levels with readily available and easy-to-use radon testing kits. It will monitor the radon levels in your home. But for the elevated levels, knowing their entry points and damages caused – you’ll need professional radon testing services.
To protect your home and family from radon risks, here are some tips.
Seal Openings
Radon can enter your place through even the smallest openings. That’s why caulk and sealants are used to close cracks and gaps where radon can enter.
Increase Ventilation
Proper ventilation can disperse radon levels. Open windows, run fans and increase air circulation to dilute radon.
Test Your Home’s Radon Levels
Use an easy home test kit or hire a professional radon tester. Conduct these tests at a lower area of your home, like a basement or ground floor. If radon levels are detected, seek professional help.
Install A Radon Mitigation System
If the radon levels are above safe standards, install a mitigation system. This uses a vent pipe and fan to draw radon from below the house and vent it outside.
Avoid Radon-Prone Areas When House-Hunting
When buying or building a home, consider radon-resistant features. By selecting a radon-resistant location, you reduce the risk of exposure for you and your family from the beginning.
Final Thoughts
Radon exposure is a serious but avoidable health risk. Take action to test your home’s radon levels and make modifications if needed. Protect yourself and your family by reducing radon in your house. With awareness and proactive measures, you can breathe easier knowing your home has safe indoor air quality.
We strongly urge every homeowner to invest in a radon testing kit. And ensure their living spaces are safe from this invisible danger. By taking proactive measures, you can safeguard your family’s health and well-being. We hope this blog gave you a good overview of the health hazards associated with radon gas and how to reduce exposure risks. We also discussed in detail how does radon affect your health.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Protect your home and loved ones from the health hazards of radon exposure. Please explore more of our blogs to learn every type of inspection. Leave a comment with any questions!
