Why Radon Gas is Dangerous
- Radon is a natural radioactive gas produced by the earth. To the human senses, it is invisible, odorless and cannot be tasted or noticed in any way. With scientific devices designed to detect radiation and the presence of radon gas in particular, it can be located. The gas's radioactive properties make it dangerous for animals and humans alike, and it is blamed for a large portion of cancer-related deaths per year.
- Radon is released when natural objects decay, especially objects such as soil, rock and water. These elements all contain trace amounts of uranium, and as the uranium breaks down it releases radioactivity in the form of radon gas. Radon is in no way a human by-product--it is a natural by-product of the earth and can be found almost everywhere across the world. While radon in the water and rocks is more harmless, radon in the soil can collect, escape and seep into houses where it poses a danger to people living there. While radon can be found all across the Earth, there are places where it is produced more readily and has a stronger presence.
- Studies conducted on radon have concluded that it is a carcinogen, a cancer-causing substance. It cannot be absorbed through the skin, but it can be breathed in, where it interacts with lung tissue, exchanging its radioactive energy and causing cancer. It is not known to be a certain cause of any other types of cancer, but scientists believe radon is the second most common cause of lung cancer after smoking, and is even more dangerous to those whose lungs have already been weakened by frequent smoking. Some estimates report approximately 20,000 lung-cancer related deaths per year which are caused by radon gas.
- The presence of radon is measured by pico-Curies per liter, or pCi/L. The worst cases of radon presence in a house have measured from 2,000 to 3,000 pCi/L. Acceptable levels are generally agreed to be around 4 pCi/L, although studies have found that only 8-10 pCi/L can cause increased risk of getting lung cancer, especially for people who smoke.
- Both passive and active radon gas tests can be conducted. Passive detectors are one-time devices that trap radon particles from the air into charcoal that is then sent into labs for testing. Active detectors are more like smoke detectors that must be plugged in and can be moved around to locate sources of radon. The active versions are usually used by professionals.