Some of the most dangerous things to humans are invisible to our eye and often go unnoticed. They can be silent, odorless, and colorless. They’re not a venomous reptile, a natural disaster, nor a virus. Radon, a cancer-causing radioactive gas, is one of these deadly creatures. And unfortunately, it can be present in the air we breathe anywhere we go, including our own homes.

What is radon

Radon is a hazardous gas emitted by the breakdown of other radioactive metals, such as radium, thorium, and uranium. These metals are natural and can be found in rocks, groundwater, and soil. Although these materials aren’t as abundant as other nonradioactive metals, we are still exposed to the deadly gas that is released from their virtually everywhere we go.

It would take a significant amount of time (several years) for any complications from radon exposure to show up. However, as we spend most of our time in our homes, and since high levels of radon aren’t visible without proper testing, any prolonged exposure to radon, through cracks in the walls, floors, or foundations of our buildings, can exasperate the severe dangers that are associated with radon exposure.

Why is radon dangerous?

Radon imposes several health risks to humans because it is a radioactive gas. Radioactivity is the process in which the nucleus of an atom decays, losing all of its energy through the release of radiation. The radiation that is emitted is hazardous to humans, which can damage and destroy our cells through ionization. The result of chemical ionization can lead to cancer or death.

Right behind smoking, contact with radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Breathing in this dangerous gas can disrupt the cells in our lungs, causing them to mutate or be destroyed, which leads to lung cancer. Lung cancer also happens to be the deadliest form of cancer, and the leading cause of cancer deathers, because it can often be diagnosed too late.

Why should you be worried about radon in your home?

The natural radioactive materials that emit radon gas when they decay are commonly found in the ground, and although you might not be exposed to them directly, any crack or gap in the floors or walls of your home can expose you to radon gas at all times. If there is radon emitting through these cracks in your home’s interior, the deadly gas can travel to any room through your ventilation system.

How can you prevent radon exposure?

The best way to prevent any complications occurring from radon exposure is to test the radon levels of your home. It’s relatively low-cost to have a radon testing company check your home’s radon levels, and the recommended level for a home is under 4.0 pCi/L. If levels are higher than that, open up your windows to ventilate some fresh air, check on the cracks in any of your walls and floors to see if you can quickly seal them, and hire a contractor to see if there are any further steps needed to fix the issue.