What are the Dangers of Radon Gas in my Home?
Radon is a gaseous radioactive element that causes lung cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that the radioactive gas is a leading cause of lung cancer in the country and around the world. That shows how harmful and dangerous radon is to the human life and well-being. We’re exposed to many different substances each day. Some of the substances are harmless while others are harmful to our bodies. Radon is certainly one of those things you’re exposed to in your home and at the workplace each day and affects your health.
Radon is formed from the natural breakdown or radioactive minerals like uranium in the soil and rocks. Whether you’re aware of radon’s existence or not, it can seep through the crevices and cracks of your home and pose a health risk. When it accumulates and gets trapped indoors or in an enclosed space or an inadequately ventilated area, it becomes a serious health concern.
What are the Sources of Radon in my Home?
Radon usually forms and gets released into the air as rocks, soil, and groundwater containing naturally occurring radioactive minerals gradually break down. Outside in the open, the released radon gas quickly disperses thereby becoming less concentrated. When this happens indoors or in a poorly ventilated space, the released gas accumulates and becomes more concentrated.
It’s also important to note that phosphate fertilizers, non-plastic dishes, clay bricks, and concrete products used for building contain traces of radioactive elements (uranium and thorium) can also produce a measurable amount of radon gas. The stone surfaces in your home produces a small amount of the radioactive gas, but it gets diluted with the large quantity of air in your home making it of not effect.
The soil around your house, as well as well water, are the leading sources of radon in your home. The gas moves from the soil into your house through sump pumps and floor drains and the crevices and cracks in the foundation of your house. As soon as it gets indoors, the gas accumulates to high levels that are dangerous to your health.
Dangers of Radon Exposure
According to EPA, radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. To smokers, it’s the second leading cause of this type of cancer. EPA reports indicate that the radioactive gas is responsible for twenty thousand lung cancer deaths every year. That reveals how radon should be a great concern to every homeowner.
While radon gas is a radioactive element, it’s not explosive or rather reactive. Radon is a cancer-causing agent. The risk of developing lung cancer after someone has been exposed to radon depends on the period of exposure and the concentration level. Unlike other toxic gases, radon exposure doesn’t show any symptoms. It’s possible to spend years living in a home with high levels of radon before you show or develop any signs. By the time you see clear symptoms of exposure and poisoning, lung cancer might have already taken hold of you.
It is, therefore, crucial that you complete a simple and inexpensive radon test so you can know the concentration level and employ mitigation measures before it’s too late.
Radon is formed from the natural breakdown or radioactive minerals like uranium in the soil and rocks. Whether you’re aware of radon’s existence or not, it can seep through the crevices and cracks of your home and pose a health risk. When it accumulates and gets trapped indoors or in an enclosed space or an inadequately ventilated area, it becomes a serious health concern.
What are the Sources of Radon in my Home?
Radon usually forms and gets released into the air as rocks, soil, and groundwater containing naturally occurring radioactive minerals gradually break down. Outside in the open, the released radon gas quickly disperses thereby becoming less concentrated. When this happens indoors or in a poorly ventilated space, the released gas accumulates and becomes more concentrated.
It’s also important to note that phosphate fertilizers, non-plastic dishes, clay bricks, and concrete products used for building contain traces of radioactive elements (uranium and thorium) can also produce a measurable amount of radon gas. The stone surfaces in your home produces a small amount of the radioactive gas, but it gets diluted with the large quantity of air in your home making it of not effect.
The soil around your house, as well as well water, are the leading sources of radon in your home. The gas moves from the soil into your house through sump pumps and floor drains and the crevices and cracks in the foundation of your house. As soon as it gets indoors, the gas accumulates to high levels that are dangerous to your health.
Dangers of Radon Exposure
According to EPA, radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. To smokers, it’s the second leading cause of this type of cancer. EPA reports indicate that the radioactive gas is responsible for twenty thousand lung cancer deaths every year. That reveals how radon should be a great concern to every homeowner.
While radon gas is a radioactive element, it’s not explosive or rather reactive. Radon is a cancer-causing agent. The risk of developing lung cancer after someone has been exposed to radon depends on the period of exposure and the concentration level. Unlike other toxic gases, radon exposure doesn’t show any symptoms. It’s possible to spend years living in a home with high levels of radon before you show or develop any signs. By the time you see clear symptoms of exposure and poisoning, lung cancer might have already taken hold of you.
It is, therefore, crucial that you complete a simple and inexpensive radon test so you can know the concentration level and employ mitigation measures before it’s too late.
