A smoker who is also exposed to radon has a much higher risk of lung cancer. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to EPA estimates. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year.
Is radon gas really a problem?
Outdoors, radon disperses rapidly and, generally, is not a health issue. Breathing radon over time increases your risk of lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Nationally, the EPA estimates that about 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer.
How does radon originate?
Radon comes from the breakdown of naturally-occurring radioactive elements (such as uranium and thorium) in soils and rocks. The gas moves up through the soil to the surface, where it can enter homes, schools and the workplace through cracks and other holes in the foundation.
Where does radon gas come from in a house?
Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up.
Can radon cause lymphoma?
Recent research from scientists in the US, Canada, and Europe show that residential radon can increase the risk of hematological cancers, particularly of follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Can radon cause breast cancer?
The study found no overall association between radon exposure and risk of developing breast cancer.
What are signs of radon in your house?
Possible symptoms include shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing. If you smoke and you know you’ve been exposed to high levels of radon, it’s very important to quit smoking.
Which homes are more likely to have a radon problem?
Exposure to radon can be especially high for people who use their basements as a living space. Like basements, homes with slab-on-grade foundations have many openings that allow radon to enter. Homes with crawl spaces (vented and sealed) can also have elevated radon levels.
Does radon cause leukemia?
Long-term exposure to radon can lead to lung cancer, the only cancer proven to be associated with inhaling radon. There has been a suggestion of increased risk of leukemia associated with radon exposure in adults and children; however, the evidence is not conclusive.
Can radon cause non Hodgkins?
They also cite studies that suggest an increased incidence of DLBCL lymphoma among children exposed to high levels of residential radon and studies on miners from Uranium quarries that have reported an increase in the incidence of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Hodgkin’s lymphomas, and an increase of mortality due to …
