What Are The Health Risks of Radon?

Many homeowners have valid concerns about radon toxicity. Radon's danger is in its covert ability to be a problem in your home for years before you notice any health problems. And by then, the damage is usually done.

But what are the specific health risks associated with radon? Knowing what they are and whether you're susceptible to them could uncover more good reasons to protect yourself against radon.

What Is Radon?

On its own, radon is a largely benign and common natural gas. It is odorless, tasteless, and has little-to-no effect on our health if it safely releases into the atmosphere. The problem starts when the soil beneath your home traps radon gas that will eventually seep into the building.

The high concentration of this silent but dangerous gas can cause radon toxicity over time. Because it's virtually impossible to know whether you have it without professional testing, not knowing your home's radon levels could mean you're living with enough radon to eventually cause health concerns.

Where Does Radon Come From?

When radioactive elements like uranium or thorium break down in the soil, it creates radon gas. Despite the "radioactive" designation, this natural gas is common and appears in small quantities within the atmosphere.

But because the gas can enter your home relatively easily, it's equally easy for you to inhale large amounts of it — enough to cause health problems. The gas doesn't discriminate either; it can permeate older or newer homes, no matter how well-sealed they are.

The Top Health Risks Associated with High Radon Levels

Understanding radon's effects on the body is helpful for many reasons. For instance, it gives you a better idea of what you're at risk for since some of these health concerns can worsen if you have pre-existing conditions.

It also helps you acknowledge how worrisome having high levels in your home can be for anyone, not just those in high-risk groups. Here are the most common health risks of spending time in buildings with high radon levels.

Lung Cancer

It would probably shock many people to learn that radon is the second-highest cause of lung cancer after smoking. The big difference between smoking and radon exposure is that you're aware of when you're smoking, but it's possible to have no clue you're dealing with radon poisoning. And that’s because it damages your lungs for years on end.

For smokers in particular, the chances of developing cancer from the combination of radon and cigarette smoke are multiplicative. But it's also hazardous for non-smokers to expose themselves to radon for long periods.

Other Lung-Related Illnesses

Your lungs and radon don't get along. Radon can exacerbate most other health problems that involve the lungs. In particular, it damages your lung tissue. Thus, even if you don't have to worry about cancer, you could still struggle with illnesses like pulmonary fibrosis or emphysema.

It’s important to note that these issues can be non-malignant and non-life-threatening. However, they're often still chronic and frustrating to deal with. And radon poisoning only makes them worse.

Who Should Worry About Radon's Health Risks?

There's no one group that won't need to concern themselves with radon at all, but some should be especially vigilant. Here's who should be paying extra attention to the amount of radon in their home:

Older People

The older you are, the higher your chances of developing health issues from high radon levels. You're also more likely to have an existing problem that excessive amounts of this dangerous natural gas can worsen.

If you're a homeowner in the greater Denver area and fall into this category, you'll at least want to know what your radon concentration is in your home. Ideally, you will also have a plan to keep it low so you stay healthy.

Children

Children's lungs have a unique shape and size. Unfortunately, this means that their lungs take on more radon gas when they inhale. Children also breathe faster than adults, so they'll take in more radon overall.

Some studies have gone so far as to suggest that the risk of children suffering from radon poisoning could be twice as high as adults. In places with large radon concentrations like Denver, this alarming statistic underscores the importance of radon testing and mitigation.

Smokers

Smokers are already on the list for most likely to develop lung cancer from their habits. Breathing in a lot of radon on top of that adds fuel to the fire. It's no secret that smoking can cause many health problems, but bringing radon into the mix exponentially increases your chances of developing lung-related health issues.

People Living in Colder Climates

This group may surprise you, but radon levels can be higher in cold than warm weather. For those living in perpetually warm climates, this makes radon much less of a threat. But radon levels can creep up to dangerous levels when winter hits for areas like Denver that experience all four seasons.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

With the health risks of radon in your home in mind, you may be wondering what steps you can take to protect yourself. Here's what all homeowners who need clarity about their home's radon levels should do to stay healthy.

Radon Testing

Your first step should always be to set up a radon test with a professional. Radon testing will give you a better idea of how much radon is in your home. You'll want a professional to administer these tests; going without outside help is highly likely to lead o a faulty reading.

And that faulty reading could indicate that there are low levels of radon in your home when the opposite is true. As a result, you have the potential to be left with a false sense of security.

At Rapid Radon Relief, we offer two types of radon testing. Our experts can employ continuously monitor radon testing, which lasts about 48 hours. The test scores your home's radon levels every hour, and it's the fastest way to get the information you need.

There's also the charcoal test route, which homeowners can set up themselves. Once the testing is complete, we send it to a third-party lab for analysis.

Radon Mitigation

Radon is a concern everywhere, especially for those in the greater Denver area. Installing a radon mitigation system is one of the easiest ways to cross this off your to-do list. These systems give radon an escape route through a separate tube that goes outside. That means it never touches the air you breathe in your home.

The professionals at Rapid Radon Relief are radon mitigation experts. We'd be happy to discuss your options whenever you're ready. We'll often suggest a plan once your test results come in to ensure we have a system tailored to your home needs.

Sump Pump Replacement

If you have a sump pump, it can be a gateway for radon gas to enter your home. While it's not always the first line of defense against radon poisoning, replacing your sump pump with something more secure can be an effective type of mitigation.

The Rapid Radon Relief team typically offers this service as an add-on treatment for customers we currently work with to reduce their home’s radon output. Contact us for more information or if you have any questions about this specific mitigation angle.

Don't Risk Your Health with Radon

Radon is a real fear for Denver homeowners. It's one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the U.S. It is also invisible, carries no scent, and causes illnesses that don't show up until years after exposure.

Radon poisoning is much more likely to harm Colorado residents than you might think. Fortunately, once you know how much radon your home has, you can start taking steps to mitigate it.

Give yourself the knowledge to protect your family with a radon test or mitigation system from Rapid Radon Relief. We've spent years training our employees and serving our community to help keep your home safe from radon. Get in touch with us today to learn more.