When humans are exposed to radon gas, the particles can damage cells with the body. Damage to the lungs is the most widely recognized association to radon exposure. Lung cancer is directly linked to radon gas. Each year, the United States has 15 to 22 thousand cases of lung cancer deaths directly linked to radon gas exposure each year. Radon gas has a quick rate of decay, which causes radioactive particles to be released. These are the particles which enter the body, mutate cells of the lungs, and lead to cancer. Overall, radon gas exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Radon gas is not a man made chemical product, but solely a naturally occurring product. It can be found in igneous rock and soil. There are a few scientific uses for radon gas such as initiating and influencing chemical reactions, however, there are no practical uses.
Radon gas causes major health issues, and is prevalent in the built environment. Houses and office buildings built on soil heavy in the elements uranium, thorium, and radon tend to have a higher affinity to radon gas. Also, basement levels and highly insulated areas have a higher radon level. Radon can be found in every building. It has been stated that radon levels higher than 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) is unsafe for living conditions. Radon can enter a building in many methods. Cracks in concrete, exposed soil in basements or crawlspaces, open drains to sump pumps, loose pipe fittings, and well water are some of the various ways that radon gas can enter a structure.
Due to the colorless, odorless, and tasteless nature of radon gas, it is impossible to tell the level of radon in a building without testing. If a high level of radon gas is present, the most reliable method of mitigation is known as sub slab suction. This places pipes under or in the foundation of a house to guide radon gas away. Other, less permanent, methods of reducing radon gas inside a building can be house pressurization, natural ventilation, heat recovery ventilation and sealing up cracks in a building's foundation.
Radon gas is not a man made chemical product, but solely a naturally occurring product. It can be found in igneous rock and soil. There are a few scientific uses for radon gas such as initiating and influencing chemical reactions, however, there are no practical uses.
Radon gas causes major health issues, and is prevalent in the built environment. Houses and office buildings built on soil heavy in the elements uranium, thorium, and radon tend to have a higher affinity to radon gas. Also, basement levels and highly insulated areas have a higher radon level. Radon can be found in every building. It has been stated that radon levels higher than 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) is unsafe for living conditions. Radon can enter a building in many methods. Cracks in concrete, exposed soil in basements or crawlspaces, open drains to sump pumps, loose pipe fittings, and well water are some of the various ways that radon gas can enter a structure.
Due to the colorless, odorless, and tasteless nature of radon gas, it is impossible to tell the level of radon in a building without testing. If a high level of radon gas is present, the most reliable method of mitigation is known as sub slab suction. This places pipes under or in the foundation of a house to guide radon gas away. Other, less permanent, methods of reducing radon gas inside a building can be house pressurization, natural ventilation, heat recovery ventilation and sealing up cracks in a building's foundation.
Common Entry Points For Radon Gas
Mortalities by Cancer Type - 2010
Natural Radon Levels - EPA
http://enhs.umn.edu/hazards/hazardssite/radon/radonprevention.html
http://www.epa.gov/radon/
http://www.radon.com/radon/radon_facts.html
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/radon
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/
