Radon gas: health risks and household testing necessity

Radon gas is a major health concern faced by all people. Many people have not heard of radon gas nor do they understand radon gas can be found within their houses. Radon is radioactive and is naturally occurring within the ground. It is colorless and odorless so detection can only be made through proper testing for the gas.

This study is designed to introduce the people to the dangers for radon gas and the necessity of all household to test for radon gas periodically. Two houses were tested for this study and the results will be analyzed within the paper. Background information was acquired and will be discussed as well.

Radon gas is difficult to study due being undetectable by the human senses and has a half-life of 3.82 days. (Healthcentral.com, 2010, ¶2) Some of the testing companies have unreliable histories of analyzing accurate results.

Measures need to be implemented and taken to educate the public and set up testing before more people contract lung cancer from unknown exposure within their homes.

Literature Review

Radon is an ionizing radiation source that is an inert gas and has no odor or color associated with it. Radon gas is formed by the natural decay of uranium in the soil and rocks. The gas comes out of the ground and diffuses with dust particles in the air. Healthcentral.com (2010) in "Description of Radon Gas" gives the following chemical description:

Radon-222 decays by alpha emission into several short-lived daughters, most notably polonium-218 and polonium-214, which have half-lives of 3.1 minutes and 0.164 milliseconds, respectively. Both polonium daughters are highly reactive alpha emitters. Most radiation received by the body comes from the alpha articles. The ultimate decay product is stable lead-206.

Radon is both essential and deadly to the human race. In certain locations, radon dissolves into the groundwater and is released in the air as it is being utilized. In outdoor areas, radon can be found in minimal trace but in areas with little or no ventilation, like caves and mines, radon can accumulate into extremely dangerous levels. (Cancer.gov, 2010)

Radon gas exposure can lead to lung cancer and other respiratory ailments. Cigarettes are the only thing that causes more cases of lung cancer. The EPA.org website under the Surgeon General Health Advisory section of "A Citizens Guide to Radon Gas" states, "Indoor radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families all over the country. It's important to know that this threat is completely preventable. Radon can be detected with a simple test and fixed through well-established venting techniques." Radon claims the lives of over 21,000 United States citizens yearly. (Figure 1)

Figure 1. (EPA.gov website)

Radon causes problems because it adheres to the cells that line the passageways in to the lungs. Miners and smokers are extremely venerable to contracting lung cancer from radon due to the increase toxins already being inhaled by them. Results regarding radon and cancer were studied and the findings have been documented by numerous sources. Radon.com (2010), in the web article, "Cancer and Radon," reports,

"There is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of radon and its isotopic forms, radon-222 and radon-220, in experimental animals. When administered by inhalation, preceded by a single exposure to cerium hydroxide dust, radon induced pulmonary adenomas, adenocarcinomas, invasive mixed adenosquamous carcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas in male rats."

Early detection of radon poisoning is usually not possible. Ehow.com.(2010), on its website dealing with radon poisoning reports, "The symptoms of radon poisoning closely resemble lung cancer: a persistent cough that doesn't get better, coughing up blood, difficulty breathing, chest pains, wheezy breathing, hoarseness and recurring bouts of respiratory infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis." Medical treatments should be sought immediately if anyone thinks they could have radon poisoning.

Radon levels in homes varies and are not always dependent on the area the house is located. Radon is found in every area of the world and can affect the lives of anyone and anywhere no one is safe. "Radon can enter homes through cracks in floors, walls, or foundations, and collect indoors (Figure 2). It can also be released from building materials, or from water obtained from wells that contain radon." Measures can be taken to decrease or even stop the flow of radon gas into a home. One thing is the installation of a radon reduction system. They are not very expensive and have been noted in removing 99% of the radon in a home.

RADON GETS IN THROUGH:

1. Cracks in solid floors

2. Construction joints

3. Cracks in walls

4. Gaps in suspended floors

5. Gaps around service pipes

6. Cavities inside walls

7. The water supply

Figure 2 (EPA.org website)

The need for radon testing is crucial and is not very expensive. All homes should be tested once a year at least. To show the possibility of radon in homes in our community, we tested two homes with radon detectors to see if radon was present and to what level the radon was present. One house was assigned by the instructor and the other house was one I could choose.

Results

The first house had a radon level of 2.2. House #1 belongs to a 62-year-old white female. Educational level was high school graduate working in administration. She has lived in the house for 38 years and the house is 44 years old. Household income exceeds $47,000 yearly and one college senior female child resides there as well. The child is working on teaching.

Subject knew environment could affect health but had not heard of radon gas. She has lost a mother in-law to cancer in the past. There are no smokers in the family. She has no knowledge regarding EPA's request for all homes to test once a year nor does she know who tests for it. She has health insurance and has witnessed no changes in coverage. She is happy with health care service and gave it 5 out of 5. There are no radon detectors in house and the level was below 4/pCi/L. She feels the Health Department would be valuable to educate public regarding radon gas. She feels the communities need to do more to educate people on radon gas and its effects. She feels government should do more to educate the public and assist the one who cannot afford the test.

The second house had a 1.5 level reading for radon. House #2 belongs to a female with no age given. She has a graduate degree and teaches for a private agency. Occupant owns the home and has lived there for 5.5 years. The house was built in 1927. She makes in excess of $47,000 yearly and is divorced with no children in the home. Occupant is white and all 3 children are expected to earn graduate degrees. She knows about effects of environment and about radon gas. She has learned of radon from a journal article and is aware of the health problems associated with it. She lost an aunt to breast cancer and no one smokes in the family.

She is aware of the EPA suggestion that all home are checked yearly and is aware that Health Department has a testing kit.

She has health insurance and has experienced a reduction in benefits in addition to premium being raised. She is satisfied with the coverage and gave it a 5 out of 5. There is no radon detector in the home, and home has not been tested before. Radon level was a 1.5/pCi/L and no mitigation system is present in the home.

Occupant is on city water and filters it. She has been using the water for 5.5 years and knows the Health Department will test the water. Occupant had better than average knowledge about radon and its effects and was curious to what the levels were for her home. She felt that radon is everywhere and did not affect her in decision to purchase this home. She feels public service announcements on television and schools should try to educate people about radon and its health risks.

Both homes were below the levels of real danger and both occupants were relieved to know the results

Conclusion

Radon gas is extremely dangerous and not enough is being done to educate the public about the gas and the potential dangers it imposes.

The information gathered from testing the two houses shows how radon can be present in the homes anywhere. The gas affects the house without regard to the houses age, the economic situation of the occupants, or any other factors. Since only two houses were checked, truly accurate results for the area as a whole cannot be calculated due to the small population size. The occupants of the homes had no knowledge of the radon levels in their homes nor had they ever had them tested. Luckily the levels were too low to cause any serious effects. Out of the two women, only one had any knowledge of radon and the seriousness it; but even with the knowledge she had never tested or had tested the home.

Awareness must be made to alert the public to this issue and availability to test equipment for lower income families provided. Lung cancer from smoking already claims enough lives without the radon gas adding another 21000 to the totals.