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Radon Hazards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists radon as a hazardous chemical that can pose a threat to the health of your family. The agency also says that exposure to radon is responsible for an estimated 20,000 deaths from lung cancer each year. Radon is a clear gas that comes from natural sources in the environment, such as rocks and other materials. Radon usually seeps from areas such as attics or basements, but radon can come from any area in your home.

  1. Lung Cancer

    • Get yearly check-ups to check for radon exposure.

      Too much exposure to radon gas can greatly compromise lung health over time. The Environmental Protection Agency says that radon gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in America. The risk of lung cancer from radon exposure is higher in people who smoke, but non-smokers are affected as well. The EPA says that 2,900 of these lung cancer cases happen in people who have never smoked cigarettes. Over time the gas irritates lungs because small particles of radon adhere to lung tissue. This irritation burdens the lungs and can contribute to cancer. The lungs do have the ability to heal so testing your home for radon and eliminating it can help reduce your risk of lung cancer.

    Respiratory Lesions

    • Breathing in radon gas can also cause lesions on the lungs. People with respiratory lesions have diminished lung potential. They may also suffer with difficulty breathing and wheezing. A person with lesions is also prone to pneumonia and other respiratory infections. Elderly people may have even more difficulty because lung problems can arise naturally as a person ages. Weak lungs in combination with other problems can result in life-threatening effects. Go to the doctor to ensure that your lungs are healthy.

    Chronic Interstitial Pneumonia

    • Chronic interstitial pneumonia is a lung disease caused by inflammation in the lungs. Breathing radon gas can cause the alveolae and tissues in the lungs to become inflamed, and over time, results in chronic inflammation. A person with this type of lung disease often suffers with compromised breathing, wheezing and chronic lung infections.

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