Lung cancer is a serious condition that can be lethal. While smoking is the primary cause in the United States, radon exposure comes a close second. In this article, we’ll discuss what radon is, its health effects and how it contributes to lung cancer.
What Is Radon?
Radon is a natural gas that forms when uranium decomposes. Since uranium is a naturally occurring substance in soil, radon may develop nearly anywhere. As radon gas decomposes, it turns into microscopic radioactive particles that get trapped in the lungs and release a consistent stream of radioactivity into your body.
In most cases, radon escapes into the outdoors, where it is diluted enough not to affect your health negatively. However, when it seeps into homes and buildings through cracks in the floor, foundation or other gaps, it can build up to harmful levels.
How Dangerous Is Radon?
Radon is incredibly dangerous since it is completely tasteless, odorless and invisible. There are no signs of radon’s presence, except for the symptoms of radon poisoning, which mimic those of lung cancer.
Can Radon Cause Lung Cancer?
Yes, radon can and does cause lung cancer. It’s the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers, causing an estimated 21,000 deaths annually. Up to 20% of all lung cancers occur in nonsmoking patients, and radon is the main culprit. Common cancers in nonsmokers include:
- Adenocarcinomas (up to 60%).
- Squamous cell carcinomas (up to 20%).
- Small-cell lung cancers (up to 8%).
Radon can also increase your chances of contracting lung cancer if you’re a smoker or get exposed to carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) regularly.
How Long Does It Take for Radon to Cause Cancer?
There’s no specific time frame, but it can take between five and 25 years for radon to cause cancer. It may happen sooner if you’re exposed to particularly high levels for longer durations, or it may take longer if you get exposed to lower levels for shorter times.
Other factors may also influence the time frames, including predisposition, smoking and exposure to other carcinogens.
Lung Cancer Awareness
Since radon has been identified as one of the leading causes of lung cancers in nonsmokers and a contributing factor in smokers, it receives regular publicity. Various organizations, like the American Lung Association, discuss radon as part of awareness campaigns, such as:
- Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Every year, November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, with multiple groups focusing on highlighting lung cancer and contributing factors like smoking and radon.
- World Lung Cancer Day: August 1 is another day dedicated to raising awareness about lung cancer and its causes. Dubbed World Lung Cancer Day in 2012, it focuses on highlighting risk factors, symptoms and screening.
Where Do People Get Exposed to Radon?
People may get exposed to radon in various places, including their homes and places of business. If you live or work in a state or region prone to high radon levels, your risk of exposure is higher.
How Radon Gets Into Buildings
Radon may infiltrate buildings in various ways, but commonly enters through:
- Gaps in the floorboards and foundation.
- Floor or wall joists.
- Floor drains and entry holes.
- Spaces in the basement or crawl spaces.
Essentially, radon can enter through any gap or improperly sealed space. It generally isn’t an issue outdoors, where oxygen and air dilute it. However, an indoor buildup can have damaging long-term effects because you breathe in more of the concentrated gas.
Signs and Symptoms of Radon Exposure
Radon exposure has no specific or unique symptoms, but does share symptoms with lung cancer. Even if you haven’t developed lung cancer, radon exposure may have many of the same symptoms.
Radon Lung Cancer Symptoms
No specific symptoms distinguish radon-related lung cancer from other types of lung cancer. But if you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a physician immediately:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Chest pain
- Loss of appetite
- Coughing up blood
- Shortness of breath
- Hoarseness or voice changes
- Unexplained weight loss
- Respiratory problems and infections like pneumonia
These symptoms are not unique to lung cancer and may indicate various other conditions. Whether you experience one of these symptoms or several, it’s best to consult your doctor.
The Challenge of Lung Cancer Screening
With many potentially fatal diseases, the best course of action is to undergo screening. However, lung cancer screening offers some significant risks, including:
- False positives leading to invasive follow-up procedures.
- Overdiagnosis of benign or slow-growing cancers.
- Mild radiation exposure during tests like CT scans.
For these reasons, it’s generally best to avoid screening unless you’re at high risk or know you have been exposed to radon and other carcinogens.
How to Identify Elevated Radon Levels
You can only find out if you have elevated radon levels in your home through radon testing. Fortunately, home testing is relatively straightforward. You can:
- Order a DIY testing kit.
- Follow the instructions.
- Read the results.
- Work with an expert to interpret it.
- Implement a mitigation strategy if needed.
Since radon testing is easy and accessible, anyone can take this simple but necessary step.
What Is Considered an Acceptable Radon Level?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a radon level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher is considered dangerous. The EPA recommends taking action at this point.
Where Is Radon Most Common?
Elevated radon levels are most common in the northern half of the U.S., with noteworthy states for high average levels including:
- South Dakota at 9.6 pCi/L.
- Pennsylvania at 8.6 pCi/L.
- Ohio at 7.8 pCi/L.
- Washington at 7.5 pCi/L.
For a comprehensive list, explore the EPA’s interactive radon map.
If you live in any of these states, or any of the other regions designated Zone 1 by the EPA, consider doing a DIY radon test once a year. Radon concentrations can shift over time, leaving areas with previously low concentrations with higher-than-average levels.
Test Your Home for Radon Today
Whether you’re a smoker, a past smoker or you’ve never touched a cigarette, radon can negatively influence your health and contribute to lung cancer. The only way to help prevent exposing yourself and your family to radon is through regular testing.
Don’t take a risk with the people you love the most. Order a free DIY testing kit today and find out how high the radon levels are in your home. The team at SWAT Environmental is here to guide you through the interpretation process and support you if mitigation is needed.
If you know radon is a problem in your region and have concerns about the health effects, feel free to contact us for support.
