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Saturday, January 6, 2018

Article on THE DANGERS OF RADON

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The Dangers of Radon: The Silent Assassin
By Ty Bollinger
The Truth About Cancer (thetruthaboutcancer.com)

Radon has no color or smell.  There is absolutely nothing to alert you to any threat of danger.

It is one of the second highest causes of lung cancer worldwide, resulting in more than 20,000 deaths in the United States annually.
The primary dangers of radon are that it is potentially everywhere.  It is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is produced from the decay of radioactive elements – such as uranium – in the earth’s rocks and soil.  Radon gas can also contaminate ground and well water.

For most people, the risk of radon exposure usually comes from where they live and depends on several factors.
  • The amount of uranium found in rocks and the soil beneath the place of residence.
  • Entry points for radon to enter the home such as cracks between concrete (usually found in the floor-to-wall junctions), gaps in tiles or the floor, small pores found in hollow-block walls, drains, and sump-pumps.
  • The exchange rate between indoor and outdoor air. Homes that are always sealed (a common occurrence in climates that are cold or hot year-round) tend to have higher levels of radon gas.  Airing out a home allows outside air to dilute concentration.
  • Homes with poor ventilation or poorly sealed.

 As a rule, radon gas levels are highest in the basement, cellars, or other parts of the home that come in direct contact with the soil.

When radon gas escapes into the air of the home, it breaks down into smaller radioactive particles.  These particles latch on to aerosols, dusts, and other air-borne substances.  When we breathe this contaminated air, these same particles enter into our lungs, are deposited into the cells lining our airways, and begin damaging DNA structure.

This damage, when unchecked, can ultimately lead to lung cancer.
Researchers have revealed that, while it is true elevated levels of radon can increase the chances of one developing lung cancer, a surprising number of people develop lung cancer despite concentration levels being in the low to middle range.

This could be because some people spend more time in their homes, where the danger of radon gas exposure is more likely.  Radon gas is also the primary cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and if the patient is a smoker, the risk of lung cancer is much higher.

Lower the Risk of Radon in Your Home

  • Block the passage of air from basements and cellars to the regular living floors by using a tightly sealed door between levels.
  • Increase under-floor ventilation.
  • Install a radon sump system in the basement.
  • Properly seal the floors and walls.
  • Install radon detectors in every zone of your home.
  • Ask your local water supply company for radon concentration in your location.
  • Have your home inspected for radon or test it yourself with an inexpensive kit.

These are just some of the things that we can do to reduce the risk of radon exposure for loved ones and ourselves right at home where the undetected gas is most damaging.


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