Did you know that radon exposure causes approximately 3% to 20% of lung cancer deaths worldwide? It is the primary cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause of the condition among smokers.
This colorless gas originates from uranium. As the radioactive metal decays on rocks or soil, it releases radon, which then spreads to nearby areas, including crawlspaces or basements.
When radon accumulates in your crawlspace or basement, it could eventually be released into the air. As this happens, you could unknowingly breathe it in. Long-term exposure and inhalation of radon’s radioactive particles could result in various health conditions like lung cancer.
Effects of Radon to Your Health
Unlike other types of gas poisoning, radon exposure is a silent killer. You may not know you’ve inhaled radon until it has caused irreparable damage to your lungs and overall health.
Its radioactive particles damage the cells of your lungs. As a result, long-term exposure to this radioactive gas puts you at risk of lung cancer. If you’re a smoker and you are also exposed to radon, your risk of having the condition is definitely much higher than the general population.
This is why it’s crucial to test your home for radon every few years. And if you haven’t done radon testing ever, it may be time to think about doing it — and soon!
Symptoms of Long-Term Radon Exposure
Unfortunately, radon exposure doesn’t produce immediate symptoms. But if you experience the following symptoms, think about scheduling an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.
Here’s a list of the initial symptoms of lung cancer:
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Nagging cough
- Coughing up blood
Radon Protection
To protect your home from this harmful radioactive gas, schedule radon testing with reliable and certified radon technicians like our team at Atlantic Radon.
We could help you determine whether your home needs short-term or long-term radon testing. Once we have the test results, we would analyze and go over them with you to assist you in choosing the most appropriate radon mitigation solution.
Exposure to high levels of radon could lead to serious health problems. Enjoy peace of mind knowing your home’s radon level is not 4pCi/L or higher. Let Atlantic Radon help you.
We provide radon testing and radon mitigation in Annapolis, Severna Park, and nearby areas. Please fill out our request form for a FREE estimate.
