The Uses of Radon 222

Rado -222 is the scientific term for radon gas. The University of Minnesota explains that the gas is released from the radioactive decay of radium-226. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radon gas seeps through soil and rocks into the atmosphere and dissolves upon contact with water. Spas built over natural water springs may contain contain radon-222, and in many countries these gassy spas are considered healthful to the human body.

Bone and Joint Disease

• The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) published an article from the international journal "Dose-Response," explaining the current status of radon therapy. The Bad Gastein spa in Austria accepts visitors seeking to alleviate the symptoms of rheumatic disease, chronic arthritis, scleroderma, fibromyalgia and deforming infections of the joint by bathing in water rich in radon-222. Results of a German study cited by the NCBI article published in "Radon in der Kurortmedizine" explains that radon-enriched water has pain relief and anti-inflammatory benefits. Further, it puts the body in a state of equilibrium, successfully counteracting autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

Respiratory Disorders

• Visitors to the Bad Gastein spa and various spas in Poland also consist of sufferers of respiratory disease. They believe that inhaling air enriched with radon-222 can ameliorate symptoms of chronic bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis and hay fever. This may seem far-fetched to Americans, because the Environmental Protection Agency specifically warns that inhalation of radon gas is specifically attributed to the acquisition of lung cancer. NCBI cites the results of another study published in the journal "Does-Response" in which radon therapy cured both atopic and bronchial asthma by stabilizing the immune system.

Endocrine Disorders

• Austria's Bad Gastein spa is also sought after by sufferers of menopausal symptoms and disorders of the endocrine system. NCBI's article explains that the School of Medicine in Wroclaw, Poland is actively conducting studies on the effect of radon therapy on the secretion of hormones. Radon-enriched water has been proven to increase estrogen levels in menopausal women and testosterone levels in men.

Cardiovascular Disease

• Spas in Poland also see bathers who seek radon mineral water to soak away peripheral vascular disease, arteriosclerosis in the lower extremities and hypertension. NCBI did not cite any published research articles concerning the effects of radon gas or radon-222-enriched air on cardiovascular disease to support the curative theory.