How does Radon Impact Children?
Radon is a gaseous radioactive element that can be found everywhere meaning every person, adult or young, is at risk of exposure. Every person has been exposed to the radioactive gas at some point in their life. So, it’s not a question of who or where. Of course, this doesn’t mean you have lung cancer, or it’s time to look for a local oncologist. The most important thing is the level of concentration that you were exposed and subjected to in your home. The higher the concentration of radon and the longer you’re exposed to in your home or surroundings the greater the risk.
We both know that radon releases some form of radiation that can lead to lung cancer. Unlike other toxic substances in the environment, radon is a silent killer. You can never tell if you’re being exposed to it since there are no symptoms associated with radon exposure. It’s important to note that the effect of radon exposure on children is different from that in adults. Being a heavy gas, radon usually accumulates and gets trapped at the floor level or in basements.
Are Children at Greater Risk?
Despite having smaller lungs, children have a higher respiratory rate compared to adults. They breathe faster than adults. It is for this reason that children become more susceptible than adults. The fact that your child breathes faster means that he or she will take in more radon than what you do when exposed to the same level or concentration of radon. Younger children, especially those still crawling on the floor are likely to breathe in higher levels of the radioactive gas due to their proximity to the floor. Remember the ground or rather the soil is one of the access points of radon.
Radon affects the human respiratory system which means children are more susceptible to lung cancer due to the high respiration rates as well as their rapidly dividing body cells. It’s also important to note that children tend to be more radiosensitive. According to EPA, there’s no scientific proof that children are more susceptible to lung cancer caused by radon exposure. The Agency, however, states that any form of exposure to the radioactive gas has some risk and can cause lung cancer.
Neither you nor your child will show any symptoms of exposure. Radon can be described as a “silent killer.” Over the years, you’ll think your family is safe until when the harmful effects and symptoms of lung cancer will become visible.
Have your Home Tested
While most homes in the United States contain some amounts of radon; the primary concern is how much. It’s not possible to predict the concentration levels of this gas in homes. To preserve your home’s safety and health, it’s important you find out the radon levels in your home through testing and analysis. As mentioned, radon exposure results in lung cancer over time. The first step to ensuring your family isn’t exposed to radon is having your home tested.
Testing your home is very easy and inexpensive. Nothing should stop you from having your home tested for radon levels. If, after testing, you find out that there are elevated radon levels in your home, work towards fixing the problem.
We both know that radon releases some form of radiation that can lead to lung cancer. Unlike other toxic substances in the environment, radon is a silent killer. You can never tell if you’re being exposed to it since there are no symptoms associated with radon exposure. It’s important to note that the effect of radon exposure on children is different from that in adults. Being a heavy gas, radon usually accumulates and gets trapped at the floor level or in basements.
Are Children at Greater Risk?
Despite having smaller lungs, children have a higher respiratory rate compared to adults. They breathe faster than adults. It is for this reason that children become more susceptible than adults. The fact that your child breathes faster means that he or she will take in more radon than what you do when exposed to the same level or concentration of radon. Younger children, especially those still crawling on the floor are likely to breathe in higher levels of the radioactive gas due to their proximity to the floor. Remember the ground or rather the soil is one of the access points of radon.
Radon affects the human respiratory system which means children are more susceptible to lung cancer due to the high respiration rates as well as their rapidly dividing body cells. It’s also important to note that children tend to be more radiosensitive. According to EPA, there’s no scientific proof that children are more susceptible to lung cancer caused by radon exposure. The Agency, however, states that any form of exposure to the radioactive gas has some risk and can cause lung cancer.
Neither you nor your child will show any symptoms of exposure. Radon can be described as a “silent killer.” Over the years, you’ll think your family is safe until when the harmful effects and symptoms of lung cancer will become visible.
Have your Home Tested
While most homes in the United States contain some amounts of radon; the primary concern is how much. It’s not possible to predict the concentration levels of this gas in homes. To preserve your home’s safety and health, it’s important you find out the radon levels in your home through testing and analysis. As mentioned, radon exposure results in lung cancer over time. The first step to ensuring your family isn’t exposed to radon is having your home tested.
Testing your home is very easy and inexpensive. Nothing should stop you from having your home tested for radon levels. If, after testing, you find out that there are elevated radon levels in your home, work towards fixing the problem.
