Radon is an invisible gas formed in the Earth’s crust. It surrounds every one of us as part of the air we breathe.
WHY IS RADON IMPORTANT?
Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer amongst non-smokers. If considered as a separate disease, lung cancer in people who have never smoked would rank seventh in global cancer mortality.
Approximately 21,000 people die from radon-related lung cancer every year in the United States alone.
Deaths in the US per year
2,800from home fires
3,900from drownings
21,000from radon
17,400from drunk driving
WHERE DOES RADON COME FROM?
The rocks and soil beneath our homes contain traces of uranium. Over time, the uranium breaks down and forms other elements. This is called radioactive decay. Radon is one link in the decay chain of uranium. When radon gas decays, it emits radioactive radi- ation in the form of an alpha particle, a radioactive particle made up of two protons and two neutrons.
RADIATION & DNA
When an alpha particle hits our DNA it can cause damage to a cell's blueprint. Cells constantly replicate themselves, but with a broken blueprint the replication process can become cancerous.
According to particle physics, any form of radiation can behave as both a particle and as a wave depending on how you observe it. That is why an alpha particle is the same as alpha radiation.
All our cells contain DNA, which acts as an instruction manual or blueprint for cells on how to create copies of themselves.
RADIOACTIVE RADIATION
Radioactive radiation takes different forms including alpha, beta, gamma, X-ray, and neutron radiation, which are able to penetrate different substances.
Artificial sources
When we think of radiation, we often think of artificial sources, such as X-ray or medical scans, but these sources have little effect.
Internal tissue
Since alpha particles are ingested or inhaled, they come in contact with living cells which are not able to stop the radiation.
Ionizing radiation sources
11%Food and drink
15%Artificial sources
14%Cosmic rays
42%Radon
18%The ground
Almost half of the radiation we are exposed to through our lives is in the form of radon.
ALPHA RADIATION vs. GAMMA RADIATION
Alpha radiation has a much more severe effect on DNA than gamma radiation. This difference in damage can be compared to the DNA being bombarded by a cannonball instead of simply going through acupuncture.
HEALTHY LUNGS
Lungs have especially sensitive tissue made of living cells that allows oxygen molecules to pass from the air we breathe into our bloodstream. When alpha- emitting substances like radon are inhaled, they can damage local cell DNA.
RADON IN BUILDINGS
Modern buildings are often well insulated and windows are usually kept closed. This can allow radon to build up to levels where our DNA repair system is no longer able to keep all cells healthy.
A MAN-MADE PROBLEM
The radon concentration within buildings is often much greater than outside. The gas comes from the ground and is captured and contained in our homes, resulting in levels that we seldom find in nature.
RADON SOURCES
Radon rises and can enter a home or workplace through cracks in the foundation, entry points for pipes, wiring and more.
TOP FLOORS
Some buildings have a higher radon level in the top floors. This can be due to artificial ventilation, natural updraft, or building materials used.
WEATHER EFFECTS
Radon levels can be affected by natural sources such as cold weather, wind, pressure, shifting soil and even earthquakes and local construction.
Radon map >
See your regions approximate risk level.
On a boat?
Radon levels at sea are usually quite low.
WHO IS IN RISK OF RADON?
1 in 30
are fundamentally radon sensitive.
ALL CHILDREN ARE SENSITIVE
Children have still developing organs; their replicative tissue is more vulnerable to DNA damage.
Children breathe faster; they actually respire 2-3 times faster than adults as their lungs are much smaller.
Children weigh less; their exposure is greater, as it is measured in concentration per kilogram.
Children have more life ”left”, and thus could live long enough to get cancer from early life radon exposure.
Radon is 10x more dangerous for children.
MEASURING MATTERS
Radon levels fluctuate over time and are influenced by the elements in our environment. Monitoring over longer periods of time allows for such fluctuations to be accounted for, giving you more accurate and meaningful results.
How to measure radon?
01
Get a radon detector.
02
Mount the device to the wall or ceiling, or place it on any surface.
03
Install the Airthing App for Android and iOS.
04
Read your numbers in the app, or on the Airthings Dashboard. The first indication of your radon level will appear in one hour.
05
Monitor over time. The longer you measure, the more accurate your readings.
WHAT DO MY RADON LEVELS MEAN?
0 - 48 Bq/m3
No action needed.
49 - 99 Bq/m3
Experiment with ventilation and sealing cracks to reduce levels.
100 - 149 Bq/m3
Keep measuring. If levels are maintained for more than 3 months, contact a professional radon mitigator.
150 Bq/m3 and up
Keep measuring. If levels are maintained for more than 1 month, contact a professional radon mitigator.
Deaths in the
Ionizing
