- Persistent cough.
- Hoarseness.
- Wheezing.
- Shortness of breath.
- Coughing up blood.
- Chest pain.
- Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.
- Loss of appetite.
How do you know if you have radon in your home?
The only way you can tell that you might have radon in your house is
looking for the entryways
. Finding cracks in your floor or walls might mean radon has made its way into your home, but there’s still no way to know for sure.
What does radon poisoning feel like?
Lung cancer may start as a
nagging cough
, shortness of breath, or wheezing that doesn’t go away. Other symptoms include coughing up blood, having chest pain, or losing weight without trying.
What happens if radon is detected in your home?
Radon is a radioactive gas emitted naturally from the ground. However, when radon gets trapped indoors—after entering a home through joints in walls, basement floors, foundations and other openings—it may concentrate at dangerous levels. And exposure to high levels of radon can
cause lung cancer
.
Where is radon most commonly found?
It sometimes gets concentrated in homes built on soil with natural uranium deposits. It can enter buildings through cracks in floors or walls, construction joints, or gaps in foundations around pipes, wires or pumps. Radon levels are usually highest in
the basement or crawl space
.
How do I get rid of radon in my home?
Sub-slab depressurization (also called active soil depressurization)
is the most effective and reliable radon reduction technique. It is also the most common method used by C-NRPP certified professionals. Homeowners should take action to reduce the radon level in their home if it is above the Canadian guideline level.
Is radon only in the basement?
Radon is completely odorless as well as being invisible
. Because it is often found unexpectedly in basements, some people mistakenly believe that it only occurs in basements. This is a dangerous assumption that may damage your ability to protect your home if you are not careful.
Do all homes have some radon?
Any home can have a radon problem
. This means new and old homes, well- sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. … Nearly one out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level (4 pCi/L or more). Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in your state.
Is it OK to live in a house with radon?
The EPA states, “Radon is a health hazard with a simple solution.” Once radon reduction measures are in place, home buyers need not worry about the quality of the air in the home. … Since removing radon is relatively simple,
your family will be safe in a home with a radon reduction system in place
.
Should I worry about radon gas?
If we breath in high levels of radon over long periods of time this exposure can lead to damage to the sensitive cells of our lungs which increases the risk of lung cancer. Radon causes about 1,000 lung cancer deaths in the UK every year.
Does radon make you tired?
Additional, long-term symptoms of radon gas exposure include loss of appetite, weight loss, and
fatigue
. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms above because not only do they indicate symptoms of radon exposure, but consistent exposure to radon can also lead to lung cancer.
How quickly can radon affect you?
Radon gas can damage cells in your lungs, which can lead to cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States, though it usually
takes 5 to 25 years to develop
.
How long do you have to be exposed to radon for it to be harmful?
If a person has been exposed to radon, 75% of the radon progeny in the lungs will become harmless lead particles
after 44 years
. When a particle damages a cell to make it cancerous, the onset of lung cancer takes at least five years, but often takes 15 to 25 years and even longer.
Does opening windows help with radon?
Opening windows
improves air circulation and ventilation
, helping move radon out of the house and mixing radon-free outside air with indoor air. … Opening basement windows helps reduce negative air pressure, diluting radon with clean outdoor air.
Is it safe to drink water with radon?
Health Effects
Radon can be inhaled from the air or ingested from water. Inhalation of radon increases the chances of lung cancer and this risk is much larger than the risk of stomach cancer from swallowing water with a high radon concentration. Generally, ingested waterborne radon is not a major cause for
concern
.
How do I make my house safe from radon?
An active radon sump
, fitted with a fan, is the most effective way to reduce indoor radon levels. Sumps work best under solid floors and under suspended floors if the ground is covered with concrete or a membrane. Occasionally, passive sumps without a fan may reduce radon levels.
