Health Effects of Radon
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Because it is radioactive, radon decays. As it decays, radon produces decay products, sometimes called "radon daughters" or "radon progeny". Radon gas and radon progeny in the air can be breathed into the lungs where they breakdown further and emit "alpha particles". Alpha particles release small bursts of energy which are absorbed by nearby lung tissue. This results in lung cell death or damage. When lung cells are damaged, they have the potential to result in cancer when they reproduce.
Not everyone exposed to radon will develop cancer. The time between exposure and the onset of the disease is usually many years. Unlike smoking, occasional exposure to radon does not produce any symptoms, such as coughing or headaches.
Your risk of developing lung cancer from radon depends on the concentration of radon in the air you breathe and the length of time you are exposed. If you are a smoker also exposed to elevated levels of radon your risk of lung cancer is significantly increased. For example, if you are a lifelong smoker, your risk of getting lung cancer is 1 in 10. If you add long-term exposure to a high level of radon, your risk becomes 1 in 3. On the other hand, if you are a non-smoker, your lifetime lung cancer risk at the same high radon level is 1 in 20.
In Canada 16% of lung cancer deaths are attributable to radon exposure.
Not everyone exposed to radon will develop cancer. The time between exposure and the onset of the disease is usually many years. Unlike smoking, occasional exposure to radon does not produce any symptoms, such as coughing or headaches.
Your risk of developing lung cancer from radon depends on the concentration of radon in the air you breathe and the length of time you are exposed. If you are a smoker also exposed to elevated levels of radon your risk of lung cancer is significantly increased. For example, if you are a lifelong smoker, your risk of getting lung cancer is 1 in 10. If you add long-term exposure to a high level of radon, your risk becomes 1 in 3. On the other hand, if you are a non-smoker, your lifetime lung cancer risk at the same high radon level is 1 in 20.
In Canada 16% of lung cancer deaths are attributable to radon exposure.
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