1. Radon Gas What Is It?
As uranium decays a radioactive gas is released into rocks and soil. You can not see it, smell it or taste it. The gas diffuses into the atmosphere. It is mostly harmless in minimal quantities in the atmosphere. Radon will build up in poorly ventilated areas such as basements and crawlspaces.
2. How can you be exposed to radon?
There are very low levels of radon in the atmosphere. It is a part of the air you breathe. You may get lung cancer if you are exposed to higher levels of radon over a period of time.
Radon enters your home through cracks in floors, walls, or foundations, and collects indoors. Building materials such as granite or water from wells can increase radon levels in your home. It can also be released from building materials, or from water obtained from wells that contain radon. If your home is well insulated and tightly constructed you could have higher levels of radon. In addition, if your home is built on uranium rich soil you could have higher levels of radon. Radon levels are typically higher in basements and first floors..
3. Why will radon cause you to get cancer?
As uranium decays it gives off a radiative gas. Like steam only invisible it can cause damage in concentrated exposure. The radioactive particles called radon gas causes damage to the cell lining of your lungs. If the damage of your cell lining is faster than your ability to repair you may develop lung cancer. In fact, scientist believe that radon is the second leading cause of cancer in the United States.
4. Will you be one of many people to develop lung cancer because of radon exposure?
Sure you don't! Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer according to cancer.gov. An estimated 15,000 to 20,000 deaths from lung cancer is attributed to radon. This means that radon is the second most common cause of lung cancer next to tobacco.
The risk of developing lung cancer is greater for high levels of radon and smoking. Studies have show that there are higher lung cancer fatalities when you are exposed to both. Therefore, your risk of developing cancer increases when exposed to both smoking and increased radon levels.
5. What did scientists do to figure out the role radon plays in causing you lung cancer?
It became notable because underground miners died at substantially higher rates than other groups from lung cancer. Further studies seem to confirm that animals that are exposed to radon develop higher rates of tumor growth.
6. What was the outcome about radon gas and lung cancer?
Among the scientific community, the general consensus is radon causes cancer in humans. More recently, research shows that more people develop lung cancer when exposed to higher levels of radon over a period of time. They conclude; you are at greater risk of developing cancer when you have higher levels of radon in your home.
822 people in Georgia may die of cancer caused by radon exposure on average each year according to an article in the AJC dated Feb. 26th 2010. The article later stated, "The EPA has drawn a red splash on its Georgia radon map, showing that homes, schools and businesses in the metro area's four core counties - DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett and Cobb - are at highest risk for elevated radon levels."
There are many inconsistencies from global research on higher levels of radon and cancer. Small sample sizes, varying radon levels in different houses and exposure levels over a period of time is difficult to calculate.
However, when combining the United States and Canada researchers have a better analysis. Thousands of people were analyzed. The studies about household radon levels and miners were consistent. The determination was there is a slightly higher risk for those that had higher levels of radon.
7. Is there anyway you can tell if your home has elevated level of radon?
You must test your home to determine if it has higher levels of radon. Definitely, test a home for radon before you buy. There are many factors like soil conditions, how radon enters the house and other factors that make each house unique. Just because your neighbor's home tested fine does not mean your home does not have higher levels of radon. Environmental factors such as precipitation, pressure and other factors can very radon levels from month to month and day to day. There are short term and long term kits available.
When buying a home using a short kit is advantageous in allowing you to have an idea before the home is purchased. Long term kits are the best choice. The difference is the short term kit is ready in 2 to 4 days. The long term kit measures over 90 days. Contacting a home inspector may be advantageous to your unique house.
The EPA recommends that radon levels should be below 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), anything over 4 action should be taken. The EPA estimates 215,000 homes in Georgia on average to have elevated radon. You can easily figure out the number by taking the total number of houses in Georgia divided by the aver number of houses that have radon. There is over 12,000 homes in Atlanta that may have radon gas. An estimated 5,000 deaths per year on average can be eliminated by reducing radon.
Good news. Radon can be controlled. Contact your local home inspector today to have your home checked for radon. Mitigating radon can be a costly venture. Anywhere from $800 to $25,000 can be the cost of lowering your radon levels according to cancer.gov. That is an average of $1,200 which beats the cost of dying with cancer.
Accurate Home Inspections informs you on health and safety and conservation. We find information from the EPA, CDC and many more government and local agencies to keep you informed about your home. find out More About Radon and Cancer
