Radon in your home can cause lung cancer

When you think of pollution, you can only consider what you are exposed to the outside. But the quality of indoor air in your home materials also, and it can be mainly affected by the presence of a radioactive gas called Radon. This gas can accumulate at dangerous levels and increase your risk of developing lung cancer – even if you do not smoke, according to the American Lung Association. For this reason, each house should take advantage of radon tests, which is easy, inexpensive and saving, says the organization. What is the radon, and where can it be found at home? Radon is an odorless, colorless and natural radioactive gas. It is inhaled in the lungs, where it can damage DNA, which potentially increases the risk of cancer, explains Douglas Arenberg, MD, professor in the departments of pulmonary diseases and intensive care of the University of Michigan’s health system in Ann Arbor. Radon is formed when uranium, thorium or radium decompose in water, rocks and soil, releasing radon in dirt under your home, according to the centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The radon can enter your home by cracks and holes in the foundation, through well water and via building materials, said the American environmental protection agency (EPA). It’s common: about 1 out of 15 houses that is considered a high level of radon. The gas is odorless and invisible, explains the EPA, and it does not cause any immediate symptoms, so the only way to know if your home is assigned is to test your individual residence. How does the radon cause lung cancer? Chronic radon gas exposure increases the risk of developing lung cancer. In the United States, around 21,000 people die every year from radon lung cancer (against 160,000 lung cancer deaths after smoking), according to EPA. Radon is the second cause of lung cancer, and this is the main cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, according to the agency. People who smoke or used to smoke are even more likely to develop lung cancer if they are exposed to the radon. “The risk of lung cancer from Radon exposure occurs on many years of high -level exhibition,” said Dr. Arenberg. As the CDC explains, breathing in the radon traps these radioactive particles in your lungs, which can possibly lead to lung cancer. Your risk is then increased according to your level of exposure (if you spend a lot of time in the areas of your home with higher radon levels), your smoker status and your exposure to other home pollutants, such as a stove or a wood fireplace. Home test for radon: the basement is essential because the radon can be found outside at low levels, everyone is exposed to it at a given moment. But it is much more dangerous inside a house, where gas is more confined and therefore concentrated at significantly higher levels. A home kit (available in most hardware stores) which is labeled as “meets the requirements of EPA” can be used to test the radon in your home. You can start with short -term radon tests (usually two days) with a domestic kit; The sample you collect is sent for analysis, with results sent to you in a few weeks. You can also perform long -term tests, which gives you a more precise image of radon levels in your home – The test measures air quality over a period of approximately 90 days. Since radon levels can fluctuate frequently, it is generally preferable to do a long -term test. Long -term tests can also be carried out with a domestic kit. “It is important to note that for people who do not spend time in their basement, it may not be necessary to measure your radon in the basement,” explains Arenberg. “Radon is not a problem on the higher levels of houses, given the air flow which naturally reduces exposure to radon. I recommend that people check the levels that if they have a finished basement or spend a lot of time in their basement. ” During the tests, carefully follow all the instructions on the kit. Short and long -term tests can be performed simultaneously. Water verification for radon requires a separate test. Consult your local health service for information on the test of your water or contact a radon specialist. How to reduce radon levels in your home If the radon levels in your home exceed 4 picocuries per liter, you must take measures to reduce the level of radon as soon as possible, advises EPA. Over time, the radon will disappear due to radioactive disintegration. But, “anyone with high radon levels should take the time and spend the money to solve the problem,” said Arenberg. He points out that you should not panic if you have high levels of radon in your basement because “it is very easy to remedy this.” You can install a withdrawal system that allows radon gas under the house to be immediately evacuated outside. The elimination of the radon can eliminate up to 99% of the house radon, according to EPA. These devices, called the soil transaction reduction systems, must always be installed and supervised by a certified radon attenuation specialist or a radon correction service. You or the Radon sanitation specialist can also seal all the cracks in your home – in floors, foundations or walls – to prevent radon gas from infiltrating through the cracks and in the air that you breathe inside. The new test must be carried out at regular intervals to ensure that the attenuation of the radon has been successful. Radon is a common problem with serious potential side effects, and that is why it is a good idea for everyone to consider home tests for the radon so that potential problems can be resolved. Knowing the air quality of your home can give you peace of mind and let you breathe a little more easily.