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Radon: How Does it Affect my Health?
By Hilarey Wojtowicz
Radon may not be a commonly known health concern in one’s home. Mold, asbestos and even
pesticides may be associated with illnesses. However, radon is the naturally occurring, invisible
gas that can affect your health more than you may realize.
What is Radon? And where is it in my home?
Radon is an odorless, invisible gas that is formed from deposits of uranium within soil, rock and
water. Radon can easily be found in mines, building materials, and water extracted from wells.
In your home, radon is most likely to be found in basements and ground floor rooms that may be
in contact with soil. Radon can enter your house through:
x
Cracks in concrete slabs or blocks
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Floor/wall joints
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Exposed soil, as in a sump
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Loose fitting pipes
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Building materials
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Water
What are the health risks caused by radon?
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the
U.S. If small particles infected with radon are inhaled,
they can become lodged in mucus membranes within
the lungs. The particles infected with radon that enter the lungs will then radiate and penetrate
the cells which can then begin the process of carcinogenesis (the creation of cancer).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 15 percent of lung cancers worldwide are
caused by radon. Those who smoke are three times more likely to develop lung cancer if
exposed to radon in comparison to non-smokers (based on a 0.4 pCi/L).
WHO has been in the in the process of spreading awareness of this silent killer since 2005.
Counties working with WHO on the International Radon Project (IRP) are working on
developing public health guidance within the countries in order to formulate a policy and a
strategy based on radon levels. The IRP is also working on methods for measurements and the
mitigation of radon, and the development of better communication about radon.