Should I be concerned about radon?

Emmanuel Fajardo, MD

Internal Medicine

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is created by the slow decay of radium in the soil. Some may remember it being called a “silent killer” due to it having no smell, taste or color. Is it a problem we should be concerned about? Internal medicine specialist Emmanuel Fajardo, MD, explained what you need to know about radon and whether to get your home tested and treated to prevent contamination.

Where is radon most likely to be found in South Carolina?

Homeowners or those renting or buying a home with a cellar or basement may believe that they only must worry about those levels below the ground, or that only homes with basements need to test for it, but radon moves easily through a household ventilation system and doesn’t just settle in the cellar.

“Levels are usually higher underground or in living spaces that are in contact with the ground,” said Dr. Fajardo. “But there’s a considerable concentration above the ground floor, too. Any area of a building can have high indoor levels, and radon can only be detected using certain equipment and protocols.”

North Carolina and the Upstate of South Carolina are especially prone to high radon levels due to their proximity to the Appalachian Mountains, but radon occurs naturally just about everywhere and is simply a byproduct of natural decay and time.

Does radon cause immediate injury?

“There are no immediate symptoms from exposure,” Dr. Fajardo said. “Even if you breathe elevated levels, you won’t see any short-term or immediate health effects like shortness of breath or a headache, like you might with elevated carbon monoxide levels.”

Instead, the effects of radon are slow-acting and can take anywhere between five to 25 years to develop into physical ailments.

What does long-term radon exposure do to the body?

The primary adverse health effects of long-term radon exposure involve the development of lung cancer.

“Radon gas in the air breaks down into tiny radioactive elements that can get lodged in the lining of the lungs,” Dr. Fajardo said. “These small particles give off radiation, which slowly damages lung cells and can eventually lead to lung cancer.”

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers, and the second leading cause of lung cancer in those who do smoke. There is also some research suggesting a significant connection with the development of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

What is radon poisoning?

Radon poisoning is essentially the more visible physical signs and symptoms of the buildup of damage in the lungs caused by radiation.

Dr. Fajardo said long-term symptoms of elevated exposure include:

• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Persistent coughing and hoarseness
• Chest pain
• Frequent bouts of bronchitis or pneumonia
• Wheezing or even coughing up blood

“If you develop any of these symptoms, you should meet with your doctor to discuss them, as they could indicate the ongoing development of lung cancer,” he added.

Are children more susceptible to exposure?

Due to their quick growth and development, children and adolescents are more sensitive to any radiation, and radon is no exception. Since the effects take years or even decades to develop, children exposed to elevated levels of at home become significantly more likely to develop a related illness later in life.

Luckily, it’s fairly easy to test for elevated radon levels in the home and take steps to minimize your exposure and risk. Here are some tips from the CDC.