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Genetic Effects of Radon Gas

It can't be seen, smelled, tasted or felt, but radon is one of the biggest home safety risks today. The gas that rises naturally out of the bedrock is in fact a radioactive toxin. In homes with basements or poor ventilation, this gas accumulates and can increase the risk of lung cancer for everyone in the home. Radon acts on the body at the cellular level, and its effects build up over a long period.

  1. Definition of "Radon"

    • Radon is everywhere. It is a byproduct of the decay of naturally occurring radioactive materials in the ground. Every landmass on earth has some level of radon emanating from the soil. In some areas, this gas makes its way into the water supply. Radon usually doesn't exist in high enough concentrations to present any health risks. In structures that allow bad air to accumulate, however, the long term risks of radon exposure begin to rise.

    Radiation

    • Radon produces a specific kind of radiation known as alpha radiation, which consists of two protons bound with two neutrons. Technically speaking, this is simply the nucleus of a helium atom. Alpha radiation has a positive charge, and when it passes through organic matter like cells, it causes disruptions on the atomic level. The good news is that alpha radiation is the least energetic form of radiation. It lacks the power to penetrate skin or a piece of paper. However, if ingested or inhaled, material that emits alpha radiation can do a lot of internal damage.

    Mutation

    • Amazingly, only one genetically altered cell is necessary to start the process that will eventually lead to a cancerous, potentially life-threatening tumor. As alpha particles strike at the cells in the lungs, many forms of damage are possible. A cell may be destroyed outright if damage is too severe. On the other hand, injuries to a cell and its parts can often be repaired. Damage to the cell's genetic information, or DNA, is the most troublesome. If not repaired or immediately destroyed, a cell with damaged DNA can become cancerous.

    Repair Mechanisms

    • Damage to the genetic material in a cell is not irreparable. If only one strand of the DNA double-helix is broken, the cell has mechanisms to fix it. The cell can detect where the DNA is damaged and fashion the appropriate molecules to repair the break. Two broken strands present more of problem. With the genetic information torn in half, the chance of an error during the repair process increases. If strands are not reconnected at the correct spot, the cell can actually produce toxins that kill neighboring cells. In the worst-case scenario, a badly repaired cell replicates and spawns a cancerous tumor.

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