Radon & Asthma

Asthma may or may not be associated with radon exposure. Lung cancer is the main risk associated with radon exposure. Long-term exposure to radon can cause lung cancer and death. Even low levels of radon are dangerous over time. According to Radon.com, "there are no immediate symptoms" of radon exposure, making it important to test homes and work places for radon.

Asthma

• Asthma is a chronic condition caused by a constriction of the airways in the lungs. Symptoms of asthma, which can be different from person to person, may generally include shortness of breath, chest pain, frequent coughing and wheezing. Symptoms of asthma may become worse when a person has a cold. Asthma symptoms can be triggered by environmental factors and allergens. Asthma triggers, like asthma symptoms, may vary among individuals. Pollen, dust, animal hair, cold air, air pollution and food allergies may trigger asthma symptoms.

Radon

• Radon is an invisible, odorless, tasteless and radioactive gas. Radon is a carcinogen and long-term exposure to it can cause cancer. Radon is produced naturally by the decomposition of uranium in igneous rocks, soil and water. Humans may inhale or ingest radon if it is present in the well water, groundwater, ground or building materials of their homes.

Link

• Without citing a specific study, Radon1.com claims that radon "has been linked to asthma." Reducing the amount of radon in the home, if there is any, will reduce the risk of asthma, various cancers, and "other illnesses," according to Radon1.com. Young children and the elderly may be most susceptible to radon related illness.

Considerations

• According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "lung cancer is the only known effect on human health" caused by radon exposure. According to the North Carolina Radon Program, "there is no evidence" that radon exposure causes asthma or any other respiratory disease. Other state level radon education programs corroborate this claim. NCRadon.org also claims that there is no evidence that children are at greater risk of developing lung cancer due to radon exposure than adults.

Warning

• While the connection between asthma and radon may be uncertain, the connection between radon and lung cancer is not. According to the U.S. EPA, "radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers." The U.S. EPA also states that radon exposure is the second-leading cause of lung cancer altogether, responsible for approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year.

Testing

• The U.S. EPA, the American Lung Association, the American Medical Association and the National Safety Council recommend that homes be tested for radon, according to Radon.com. People can test their homes for radon themselves by using commercially available testing kits and monitors. Some professional home inspectors also offer a radon testing service, though it may be more costly.