They were unaware of radon until their diagnosis. Then, and only then, did they learn that radon is the number two cause of lung cancer. After the fact, they tested their home and found it to have a high level of radon. Others can only wonder if the home they lived in years ago contributed to their lung cancer. Visit CanSAR for personal stories. I went back to one house in particular that I suspected may have had high radon and gave a radon test kit to the new occupant.
If you suspect you may have been exposed to radon at a house you no longer live in, consider contacting the new occupant and sharing this information about testing for radon. By providing your email address, you are agreeing to our privacy policy. We never sell or share your email address. True, radon gas can cause cancer. Long-term exposure to radon can lead to lung cancer, the only cancer proven to be associated with inhaling radon.
All rights reserved. Always consult your doctor about your medical conditions. Use of the site is conditional upon your acceptance of our terms of use. By Dusty Donaldson March 3, Share to Facebook Share to Twitter email print page Bookmark for later comment 1 Reactions 0 reactions. What should I know about this radioactive gas and why?
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J Occup Environ Med. Case-control study of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and residential radon exposure. Raaschou-Nielsen O. Indoor radon and childhood leukaemia. Angell WJ. Radon gas in the air breaks down into tiny radioactive elements radon progeny that can lodge in the lining of the lungs, where they can give off radiation. This radiation can damage lung cells and eventually lead to lung cancer. Cigarette smoking is by far the most common cause of lung cancer in the United States, but radon is the second leading cause.
Scientists estimate that about 20, lung cancer deaths per year are related to radon. Exposure to the combination of radon gas and cigarette smoke creates a greater risk for lung cancer than either factor alone. Most radon-related lung cancers develop in people who smoke. However, radon is also thought to cause a significant number of lung cancer deaths among people who don't smoke in the United States each year.
Some studies have suggested that radon exposure may be linked to other types of cancer as well, such as childhood leukemia.
But the evidence for such links has been mixed and not nearly as strong as it is for lung cancer. Because radon and its progeny are absorbed mainly by inhaling, and because the radiation they give off travels only a short distance, it is unlikely that radon would affect other tissues in the body. The evidence that radon causes lung cancer comes from studies in people and studies done in the lab. These studies also show that the overall risk of lung cancer from radon is even higher in people who smoke and people who used to smoke.
Some long term studies of uranium miners have found that they had higher risks of certain other cancers. They may instead be linked to uranium dust or other exposures in the mines. Studies in lab animals have also shown an increased risk of lung cancer with exposure to radon. These studies revealed that breathing in radon and its progeny increases the risk of lung tumors. The risk is higher if the animal breathes in both cigarette smoke and radon. In some animals, the risk of certain other cancers was also increased.
In lab studies using human cells, radon and its progeny have also been shown to cause damage to chromosomes packets of DNA and other types of cellular damage. These types of changes are often seen in cancer cells. Several national and international agencies study different substances in the environment to determine if they can cause cancer. A substance that causes cancer or helps cancer grow is called a carcinogen. The American Cancer Society looks to these organizations to evaluate the risks based on evidence from laboratory, animal, and human research studies.
Based on animal and human evidence, several expert agencies have evaluated the cancer-causing potential of radon. One of its goals is to identify causes of cancer.
The EPA lists radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer and the number one cause of lung cancer among people who don't smoke, estimating it is responsible for about 20, lung cancer deaths every year. For more information on the classification systems used by these agencies, see Known and Probable Human Carcinogens. But there may be things you can do to lower your exposure. For most people, the largest potential source of radon exposure is in their home.
You can check radon levels in your home to determine if you need to take steps to lower them. Do-it-yourself radon detection kits can be ordered through the mail or bought in hardware or home supply stores.
The kits are placed in the home for a period of time and then mailed to a lab for analysis. Short-term kits are usually left in place for several days before being mailed.
Long-term kits, which may give a more accurate assessment of average radon levels over the course of a year, are usually left in place for at least 3 months. You can also hire a professional to test radon levels in your home. Qualified contractors can be found through state radon offices, which are listed on the EPA website. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Among smokers, the increase in risk is dramatic due to the synergistic effects of radon and smoking.
The EPA estimates that radon exposure increases lung cancer risk eight to nine times in smokers compared with nonsmokers. But if you are not going to quit, make sure you are aware of the radon level in your house. The typical test is simple and inexpensive. The average indoor radon level in the United States is about 1. The average outdoor level is about 0.
The process, called radon mitigation, is easier than most people think.
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