What are the first signs of radon poisoning?
A persistent cough could be a sign that you have radon poisoning.
- Persistent cough.
- Hoarseness.
- Wheezing.
- Shortness of breath.
- Coughing up blood.
- Chest pain.
- Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.
- Loss of appetite.
How long do you have to be exposed to radon to get sick?
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.
Where is radon most commonly found?
Radon levels are usually higher in basements, cellars and living spaces in contact with the ground. However, considerable radon concentration can also be found above the ground floor.
Is there a cure for radon poisoning?
Unfortunately, there is no cure or treatments available to treat radon poisoning. If you think you may be suffering from radon poisoning, it’s essential to limit further exposure to radon as much as possible. This will keep further lung damage from developing and keep other symptoms from worsening.
What does radon poisoning feel like?
Possible symptoms include shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing. If you smoke and you know you’ve been exposed to high levels of radon, it’s very important to quit smoking.
Is radon only in the basement?
Basements aren’t the only place you can find radon. This is a common assumption since radon is most commonly found in basements. Unfortunately, it’s also very wrong. Radon gas can be found anywhere in any home, not just in the basement.
What houses are more likely to have radon?
No particular style of home is more likely to have a radon problem; including old homes, new homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with basements, or homes without basements.
Can radon make you feel 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.
Can a person be tested for radon poisoning?
Radon exposure can happen in any type of home, whether it has a basement, a crawl space, or is built on a slab. But it’s more likely to accumulate in homes that are: very well insulated. tightly sealed.
Why is radon poisoning so dangerous to humans?
One reason that radon poisoning is so dangerous is that the symptoms can take a while to appear. Radon poisoning builds up very slowly in your body, so when the symptoms finally appear you can’t afford to ignore them. All too often radon poisoning symptoms don’t actually appear until you already have cancer or are quite close.
Are there any symptoms of exposure to radon gas?
You can’t see, smell or taste radon gas. Even if you are breathing it in at a high level, there are no symptoms of radon poisoning. Exposure to high levels of radon over time puts you at risk of developing lung cancer. If you smoke, this puts you at a higher risk.
Can a person get lung cancer from exposure to radon?
Instead exposure to high levels of radon over time puts you at risk of developing lung cancer, and it is these symptoms that we often call signs of radon poisoning. If you smoke, this can put you at an even higher risk.
How many people die each year from radon gas?
Those with weak immune system are more prone to develop serious health complications by inhaling this poisonous gas. One of the serious threats linked with radon gas inhalation is lung cancer. In fact, recent studies have highlighted the fact that radon gas inhalation kills nearly 20,000 individuals in the United States every year.