Is radon harmful to humans?

Is radon harmful to humans?

Breathing radon over time increases your risk of lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Nationally, the EPA estimates that about 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.

How quickly can radon affect you?

If a person has been exposed to radon, 75% of the radon progeny in the lungs will become harmless lead particles after 44 years. When a particle damages a cell to make it cancerous, the onset of lung cancer takes at least five years, but often takes 15 to 25 years and even longer.

What does radon do to a person?

When someone breathes in radon gas, it goes into their lungs, exposing them to small amounts of radiation. This may damage the cells in the lining of the lungs and increase a person’s risk of lung cancer. The risk is higher in those who have lived for many years in a radon-contaminated house.

Should I buy a house with radon mitigation system?

Radon mitigation systems do an excellent job of keeping radon out. More and more home buyers are seeking homes with radon solutions in place. Having a home with a radon mitigation system in place and keeping the levels low will help reduce lung cancer risk.

Does every house have radon?

The simple answer is “yes” – at least trace levels of radon will exist in every home. That will mean an old home, new home, drafty home, well insulated home and homes with and without basements. If any part of your foundation is in direct contact with the soil, it has the potential of having elevated levels.

Is radon really bad for You?

Radon is a radioactive gas. Radioactive means this gas gives off bursts of energy which we can’t feel, but when they hit our bodies, they are harmful. When our bodies are hit by too much radioactive energy, we can develop serious diseases. One of these diseases is cancer. Because radon is part of the air we breathe, it is taken into our lungs.

What are the signs your home has a Radon problem?

Radon gas is present in the air in varying amounts. High levels of radon gas in homes and buildings are harmful to the body, frequently leading to cancer of the lungs in individuals often exposed to it. Most of radon symptoms, like difficulty breathing, chest pains, presence of blood with coughing,…

Is RADON a hazardous substance?

Radon is a toxic, colorless, odorless gas. It is produced during the radioactive decay of uranium and is naturally present in soil and rocks in many parts of the country. Exposure to high levels of radon greatly increases the risk of developing lung cancer, especially for smokers.

What is radon, and why is it dangerous?

Radon is a dangerous, naturally occurring gas that can cause lung cancer. Because it’s produced in the soil, this radioactive gas can sometimes be found in the air in homes and other buildings, as well as drinking water from underground sources, like that which comes from private wells.