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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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