Radon is the second Leading, environmental source of cancer mortality in the United States.
‘Stop inhaling radon!’ Never heard of it!
Traditional conventional health care providers are not well aware of environmental health issues. However, occupational practitioners have long recognized radon to be a cause of cancer, especially among miners working deep underground.
- Ross S. Myerson, M.D., M.P.H., (301) 434-0332 is specialized in occupational and environmental medicine, and is the director at the Washington Hospital Center, 110 Irving St. NW in Washington. Dr. Myerson provides independent medical evaluations throughout the Washington, D.C. Metro Area, including Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and Maryland.
Other organ or and body parts injuries cause by radon’s exposure.
- Thoracic airways.
- Skin.
- Kidneys.
- Bone marrow.
- Stomach.
Additional deadly disorders linked to radon’ inhalation.
- Leukemia.
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
- Stomach cancer.
- Multiple sclerosis.
What exactly is radon?
Classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 1988, radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and chemically inert radioactive gas. It is formed by the natural radioactive decay of uranium in rock, soil, and water and a leading cause of lung cancer. Radon-related DNA damage can occur at any level of exposure. According to The World Health Organization, lung cancer risk rises 16% per 2.7 pCi/L from radon exposure.
What is the relationship between radon emission and climate change?
- Heat: any increase use of AC will lead to higher radon concentrations resulting in decreased air exchange rates. Radon concentrations will travel on the upper floors, where residents tend to spend a greater percentage of their time.
- Rain: the soil is not saturated enough. Low and moderate levels of soil moisture provide a greater radon source that can penetrate through holes in the substructure of a building.
- Increased wind: can exert small pressure differences between the lower levels of a dwelling and the outdoors.
Helpful definition
- pCi/L or Picocuries measure radioactivity level.
- The curie (symbol Ci) is a unit of radioactivity, defined as: 1 Ci = 3.7 × 1010 decays per second. A radiotherapy machine may have roughly 1000 Ci
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