Ill Effects From Radon

The radioactive element radon can cause lung cancer and other respiratory ailments. In the gas form, it is colorless and odorless. Radon forms when the radioactive element uranium breaks down. Radon can enter a house by moving up through the soil and in through cracks in the foundation. It can also contaminate well water. Efforts should be made to properly ventilate a house if high levels of radon are present to reduce the risk of harm from the gas.

Lung Cancer

• Exposure to radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in those who do not smoke. It is the second leading cause of cancer overall. According to the EPA, about 20,000 people will die from lung cancer caused by radon in the United States yearly. The risk of getting lung cancer from radon increases if a person smokes. For instance, if the radon level is 4 pico Curies per Liter (pC/L), the action level for radon, the risk of getting lung cancer is 7 out of 1,000 for a person who has never smoked. However, if a person smokes, that risk becomes 62 out of 1,000.

Other Respiratory Ailments

• Long-term exposure to radon has been linked to other respiratory problems, including emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis. Emphysema is a condition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that causes the air sacs in the lungs to become inflamed and lose elasticity. Emphysema makes breathing difficult. Pulmonary fibrosis also makes breathing difficult due to damage to the air sacs that causes scarring and hardening of tissue.

Teratogenic Effects

• Exposure to high doses of radon has been linked to teratogenic effects (abnormalities of embryos). Radon in the mother's blood can pass to the fetus. The effects on the child vary depending on what phase of pregnancy the woman is in. If the child is still an embryo and is exposed to radon, exposure to alpha radiation will kill the embryo. Exposure later in the pregnancy may not kill the fetus but can hinder brain development, causing mental retardation.