Date Published: 10/15/2009 [Source]
It is well known that the main cause of lung cancer among smokers is their cigarettes, but unbeknownst to many is that this cancer develops in a large number of nonsmokers. The leading cause of lung cancer for nonsmokers is exposure to radon in the home. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 3-14% of lung cancer cases are caused by low- and medium-level exposure to radon in homes. This makes it the second leading cause of lung cancer (1).
Recently, the WHO recommended that countries set an "action level" of 2.7 picocuries per liter for removing radon. This is lower than the 4 picocuries per liter level set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) two decades ago. However, the EPA acknowledges that it is wise to take action if test shows 2 picocuries per liter or higher. The acting director of radiation and indoor air, Tom Kelly, said, "There is no threshold level in which radon is safe...There's a lot of risk below 2.7; there's a lot of risk below four."
The important thing is that people should understand the risk, test their homes and if necessary, carry out the relatively inexpensive fixes to reduce their exposure. Kelly estimated 15% of homes would show high radon if tested. It's best to test homes when they have low humidity and are closed, which is in the cooler months.
There are relatively inexpensive and easy methods any homeowner can perform to reduce radon levels in the home instead of paying the higher cost for professionals.
Radon gas is produced by decay of uranium in soil and enters homes via cracks in floors and foundation walls, or slab openings for sump pumps and plumbing. The gas has no color, odor or taste and as a result exposure can occur for many years without a person suspecting its presence.
Radon has been perceived to be not nearly as hazardous as it truly is. Perhaps this is because people do not become impassioned very much from natural products with health effects that are not easily observable.
(1)Razzi, Elizabeth. Reducing Radon's Toll. October 3, 2009. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy....
(2)Hass, Marilyn L. Contemporary Issues in Lung Cancer: A Nursing Perspective. 2nd ed. 2010. Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
(3) Toxicological Profile for Radon. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. U.S. Public Health Service in collaboration with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. December 1990.