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KosAbility: Radon and Non-smoker's lung cancer [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2025-01-26

Radon gas is an extremely potent carcinogen if it gets past the skin. After the initial decay, releasing an alpha particle, several more decays occur in rapid succession, releasing two more alpha particles. All this originates from a single radon atom.

Radon Decay Chain

The sum of the half-lives of these subsequent 5 radon decays is under an hour. After the initial decay, the resulting isotopes are chemically reactive, so they may bind to exposed tissue. The quasi-stable result is an isotope of lead, which does not help either.

Hazards of Alpha Radiation Even the most energetic alpha particle from radioactive decay can be stopped by the outermost layer of dead skin that covers the body. Therefore, exposure to most alpha particles originating outside the body is not a serious hazard. On the other hand, if alpha-emitting radioactive materials are taken inside the body (for example, by ingestion or inhalation), they can be the most damaging source of radiation exposure. The short range of the alpha particle causes the damaging effects of the radiation to be concentrated in a very localized area.

Radon is… the second lung cancer risk factor after smoking, and the first one in non-smokers. Approximately 10–20% of lung cancer cases worldwide can be attributed to radon exposure. Increased exposure to radon… is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. According to the National Cancer Institute, around 15,000 to 22,000 deaths in the US are caused by radon each year. Radon exposure is the main source of ionizing radiation exposure … approximately 50% of all the ionizing radiation received during a lifetime is the result of radon exposure.

Measurement

Granitic soils release significant amounts of radon as shown in the map at top. How does a person discover the level of radon in their residence? I personally found a radon meter to be an extremely good investment. It can be moved to various locations around the house, make seasonal comparisons, and check the effect of interventions. I found the cheaper one-time spot tests that get sent to a lab to be inadequate - mine was rejected and not even tested. Apparently I waited too long to use it. So I bought the Airthings Corentium Home Radon Detector. Currently $99. Not cheap, but it was worth it to me.

What constitutes a dangerous level of radon gas?

The Environmental Protection Agency has set 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) as the action level to remedy radon gas concentration. At this concentration, lifetime risk of lung cancer due to radon is about 7 per thousand in non-smokers, and 62 per thousand in smokers.

What does one do about high concentrations of radon gas?

It can be as simple as leaving the crawl space vents open all year round. If for some reason something like that is not possible, or not effective, here are other solutions:

With a Sub Slab System, a hole is cut through the concrete slab and a cavity is formed in the soil beneath the hole. A PVC pipefitting is then set into the hole and attached to the depressurization system. The depressurization system creates a vacuum under the slab, this vacuum causes Radon as well as other soil gasses, to move towards the suction point where it is collected and exhausted safely above the home. In a crawlspace application, a perforated pipe is laid throughout the space and then covered with a high-density plastic which is sealed to the foundation. This creates a vapor barrier. When the depressurization system is connected to the perforated pipe under the barrier the soil gas is collected and exhausted safely above the home

I hope this has been helpful!

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