The Effects of Radon in Humans

Radon is a radioactive gas that is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. Radon is a proven carcinogenic and is one of the main causes of lung cancer in the United States. Radon gas is found everywhere, but the health effects on humans only occur at certain levels of exposure.

Physical Detection of Radon Gas

• Radon gas does not have a perceptible effect on human senses, which is one reason it is so dangerous. You cannot smell or see radon, and therefore you have no way to physically detect its presence. In fact, radon gas is ubiquitous, and you breathe it in constantly. However, even when it is at dangerous levels that can have a health effects on humans, there will be no immediate effect on your senses or breathing. Similar to smoking, it is the long-term exposure to radon that causes health problems.

Radon and Lung Cancer

• Radon is a form of ionizing radiation, and when it is breathed in at high levels over certain periods of time, it can cause lung cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, exposure to radon gas is one of the main risk factors for lung cancer, and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) affirms that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers.

Levels of Radon

• Radon gas occurs naturally everywhere, and at low levels it has no health effects on humans. However, when it seeps up through the ground and gets contained in a structure such as a home basement, it can reach levels that with regular exposure put you at risk for developing lung cancer. The EPA states that health risks for humans occur when the radon level is measured at 4 pCi/L (pico Curies per Liter) or more. Ideally, they recommend that radon levels in homes be kept at less than 2 pCi/L to avoid the health risks of exposure to radon.