●Radon is a colorless, tasteless, odorless, and carcinogenic radioactive gas. Since you cannot see, smell or taste radon, it may very well be a hidden danger in your home. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, you’re at high risk for developing lung cancer. If you do not smoke, and you have actionable levels of radon; you are still at risk for developing radon induced lung cancer. It does not discriminate. Everyone is affected by exposure.
~Non-smokers who live in a home with radon exposer have a risk of 7 out of 1000 getting lung cancer.
~Smokers who live in a home with radon exposure increase their risk to 61 out of 1000 getting lung cancer.
Some scientific studies of radon exposure indicate that children may be more sensitive to radon. This may be due to their higher respiration rate and their rapidly dividing cells, which may be more vulnerable to radiation damage.
●Radon is also the heaviest known gas. It is nine times denser than air. Because it is a single atom gas (unlike oxygen, O2, which is comprised of two atoms) it easily penetrates many common materials like paper, leather, low-density plastic (like plastic bags, etc.) most paints, and building materials like gypsum board (sheetrock), concrete block, mortar, sheathing paper (tar paper), wood paneling, and most insulations. Atmospheric releases of radon-222 (one of the most common forms of radon elements found) results in the formation of decay products that are radioisotopes of heavy metals (polonium, lead, bismuth) and rapidly attach to other airborne materials such as dust and other materials facilitating inhalation.