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Radon Side Effects

Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that can be found in homes. It is naturally created from the decay of radioactive materials in the soil and water, and it typically enters homes through cracks and other openings in the home's walls, floors or foundations, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Radon exposure can lead to serious health problems, such as lung cancer. However, it is also used to treat certain health conditions.

  1. Lung Cancer

    • According to the Surgeon General and the EPA, exposure to radon gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The radioactive particles in radon can enter into a person's lung tissue and decay, causing damage to the tissue. Over a long period of time, this damage could lead to cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of lung cancer include a new cough or changes in cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, hoarseness, unexpected weight loss, bone pain and headache.

    Stomach Cancer

    • People may also ingest radon if it is present in the water supply. The risk of getting stomach cancer from ingesting radon is much lower than the risk of getting lung cancer from inhaling it, according to the EPA. According to a National Research Council committee estimate in 1998, about 20 of the estimated 13,000 annual stomach cancer deaths were caused by exposure to radon in water, reported a New York Times article. Symptoms of stomach cancer include fatigue; feeling bloated after eating, and feeling full after eating a small amount of food; heartburn; indigestion; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting; and weight loss, according to Mayo Clinic. Stomach cancer is generally uncommon in the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic website.

    Treatment of Rheumatic Conditions

    • While radon is probably best known for its harmful effects, doctors use radon to treat certain rheumatic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis. A study headed by A. Franke and published in 2000 in the journal Rheumatology, showed that when radon was added to a rehabilitative bath regimen, the positive effects of the bath were longer lasting than those of the baths given without the radon.

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