Radon gas as an environmental health hazard and lung cancer risk

Nursing

Environmental Health

Environmental Hazard

Radon is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas formed by the break down of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water. Radon is an arrangement of ionizing radiation and a confirmed carcinogen. Lung cancer is the only known effect on human health from exposure to radon in air. Thus far, there is no evidence that children are at greater risk of lung cancer than are adults, but some believe that this is the case. Radon is everywhere in the air. Radon is found in outdoor air and in the indoor air of buildings of all kinds. The EPA recommends homes be fixed if the radon level is 4 pCi/L (pico Curies per Liter) or more. Because there is no known safe level of exposure to radon, the EPA also recommends that people consider fixing their home for radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L. The average radon concentration in the indoor air of America's homes is about 1.3 pCi/L. It is upon this level that the EPA bases its estimate of 20,000 radon-related lung cancers a year upon. It is for this reason that EPA recommends that Americans consider fixing their homes when the radon level is between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L. The average concentration of radon in outdoor air is .4 pCi/L or 1/10th of EPA's 4 pCi/L action level (Health Risks, 2011).

Radon is a highly radioactive, colorless and chemically un-reactive inert gas. It is the heaviest known gas and is nine times denser than air. For the reason that it is a single atom gas it easily infiltrates many ordinary materials like paper, leather, low density plastic, most paints, and building materials like sheetrock, concrete block, mortar, tarpaper, wood paneling, and most insulation. Radon is also quite soluble in water and organic solvents. Even though reaction with other compounds is relatively rare, it is not totally inert and sometimes forms stable molecules with highly electronegative properties (Radon Fact Sheet, 2009).

Radon is not formed as a commercial product. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and comes from the natural breakdown of uranium. It is usually found in igneous rock and soil, but in some cases, may also be found in well water. The primary paths of possible human exposure to radon are inhalation and ingestion. Radon in the ground, groundwater, or building materials enters working and living spaces and breaks up into its decay products. Even though high concentrations of radon in groundwater may add to radon exposure through ingestion, the inhalation of radon released from water is more important (Radon Fact Sheet, 2009).

Control/Preventative Measures

4. There are several methods that a contractor can use to lower radon levels in a home. Some methods prevent radon from entering a home while others reduce radon levels after it has entered. The EPA normally recommends methods which prevent the entry of radon. Soil suction, for instance, prevents radon from entering a home by drawing the radon from below the home and venting it through a pipe, or pipes, to the air above the home where it is rapidly diluted. Any information that one may have about the construction of their home could help a contractor choose the best system. A contractor will perform a visual inspection of the home and design a system that considers specific features of the home. If this inspection fails to provide enough information, the contractor will need to perform diagnostic tests during the initial phase of the installation in order to help develop the best radon reduction system. A contractor can use chemical smoke in order to find the source and direction of air movement. A contractor can learn air flow sources and directions by watching a small amount of smoke that they have shot into holes, drains, sumps, or along cracks. The sources of air flow show possible radon routes. A contractor may have concerns about back drafting of combustion appliances when considering radon mitigation options, and may recommend that the homeowner have the appliances checked by a qualified inspector (Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction, 2011).

Another type of diagnostic test is a soil communication test. This test uses a vacuum cleaner and chemical smoke in order to determine how easily air can move from one point to another under the foundation. By inserting a vacuum cleaner hose in one small hole and using chemical smoke in a second small hole, a contractor can see if the smoke is pulled down into the second hole by the force of the vacuum cleaner's suction. Watching the smoke during a soil communication test helps a contractor decide if certain radon reduction systems would work well in a home. Whether diagnostic tests are needed is decided by details specific to a home, such as the foundation design, what kind of material is under the home, and by the contractor's experience with similar homes and similar radon test results (Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction, 2011).

Internet Site

5. The Radon Information Center. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.radon.com/

This is a very useful site. It has all the information about Radon that a person would need. There is a section on radon facts. This section contains a radon fact sheet and a radon FAQ. There is also an article about radon and cancer and an EPA slideshow. There is also a very good article about what the next steps are for someone who has found radon in their home.

The next area has to do with radon testing and test results. There is a link to order a test kit if someone were in need of one. There is also information for those who have already tested and need help in interpreting their results. There is also link to check the county where one lives to see what the radon levels are.

The next section has to do with radon test kits. This area explains what the test kits consist of and how to use them. There is a section for the typical home owner and then a section for professional testers and health departments. These are very helpful links for anyone who is looking for basic information.

The last major section of the website contains links to EPA publications about radon and links to radon training programs across the country. There is also an area that provides other links in regards to radon for professional people, students and those who are doing general research.

This site provides a lot of links so if one is not quite sure what they are really looking for this is a great place to start. It leads one in a number of different directions in order to find information about radon and its hazards. This is a great site no matter if someone is looking for something specific or is just interested in learning something about radon in general. It thoroughly covers all the different topics out there.

Response to Another Student's Posting

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