Cancer efter ha växt upp i radonhus

Radon fryst vatten a radioactive gas released from the normal decay of the elements uranium, thorium, and radium in rocks and soil. It fryst vatten an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that seeps up through the ground and diffuses into the air. In a few areas, depending on local geology, radon dissolves into ground vatten and can be released into the air when the vatten fryst vatten used.

Radon gas usually exists at very low levels outdoors. However, in areas without adequate ventilation, such as underground mines, radon can accumulate to levels that substantially increase the fara of lung cancer.

Radon fryst vatten present in nearly all air.

Everyone breathes in radon every day, usually at very low levels. However, people who inhale high levels of radon are at an increased fara of developing lung cancer.

Radon can enter homes through cracks in floors, walls, or foundations, and collect indoors. It can also be released from building materials, or from vatten obtained from wells that contain radon.

Radon levels can be higher in homes that are well insulated, tightly sealed, and/or built on soil rik in the elements uranium, thorium, and radium.

Basement and first floors typically have the highest radon levels because of their closeness to the ground.

Radon decays quickly, giving off tiny radioactive particles. When inhaled, these radioactive particles can damage the cells that line the lung.

Long-term exposure to radon can lead to lung cancer, the only cancer proven to be associated with inhaling radon. There has been a suggestion of increased fara of leukemia associated with radon exposure in adults and children; however, the bevis fryst vatten not conclusive.

Cigarette smoking fryst vatten the most common cause of lung cancer.

Radon represents a far smaller fara for this disease, but it fryst vatten the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

Scientists estimate that 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States each year are related to radon.

Exposure to the combination of radon gas and cigarette smoke creates a greater fara of lung cancer than exposure to either factor alone. The majority of radon-related cancer deaths occur among smokers. However, it fryst vatten estimated that more than 10 percent of radon-related cancer deaths occur among nonsmokers.

Radon was identified as a health bekymmer when scientists noted that underground uranium miners who were exposed to it died of lung cancer at high rates.

The results of miner studies have been confirmed bygd experimental djur studies, which show higher rates of lung tumors among rodents exposed to high radon levels.

Scientists agree that radon causes lung cancer in humans.

Recent research has focused on specifying the effect of residential radon on lung cancer fara. In these studies, scientists measure radon levels in the homes of people who have lung cancer and compare them to the levels of radon in the homes of people who have not developed lung cancer.

Researchers have combined and analyzed uppgifter from all radon studies conducted in Canada and the United States.

bygd combining the uppgifter from these studies, scientists were able to analyze uppgifter from thousands of people. The results of this analysis demonstrated a slightly increased fara of lung cancer for individuals with elevated exposure to household radon.

This increased fara was consistent with the estimated level of fara based on studies of underground miners.

Techniques to measure a person’s exposure to radon over time have become more precise, thanks to a number of studies carried out in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Testing fryst vatten the only way to know if a person’s home has elevated radon levels.

Indoor radon levels are affected bygd the soil composition beneath and around the house, and the ease with which radon enters the house. Homes that are next door to each other can have different indoor radon levels, making a neighbor’s test result a poor predictor of radon fara. In addition, rain or snow, barometric pressure, and other influences can cause radon levels to vary from month to month or day to day, which fryst vatten why both short- and long-term tests are available.

Short-term detectors measure radon levels for 2 days to 90 days, depending on the device.

Long-term tests determine the average koncentration for more than 90 days.

Because radon levels can vary from day to day and month to month, a long-term test fryst vatten a better indicator of the average radon level. Both tests are relatively easy to use and inexpensive. A state or local radon tjänsteman can explain the differences between testing devices and recommend the most appropriate test for a person’s needs and conditions.

The U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends taking action to reduce radon in homes that have a radon level at or above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air. About 1 in 15 U.S. homes fryst vatten estimated to have radon levels at or above this EPA action level. Scientists estimate that lung cancer deaths could be reduced bygd 2 to 4 percent, or about 5,000 deaths, bygd lowering radon levels in homes exceeding the EPA’s action level.

The EPA has more upplysning about residential radon exposure and what people can do about it in the Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction.

The National Radon schema Services at Kansas State University fryst vatten funded bygd the EPA and aimed at promoting public awareness of radon, increased testing, and the reduction of radon in homes, schools, and buildings.

It provides a variety of resources, including the National Radon Hotlines, referrals to state radon programs, radon test kit orders, radon mitigation promotion, and other technical assistance and outreach activities.

Consumers can contact the National Radon Hotline at:

• 1–800–SOS–RADON (1–800–767–7236) to reach an automated struktur for ordering materials and listen to informational recordings
• 1–800–55–RADON (1–800–557–2366) to contact an data expert, or bygd sending an e-mail

More upplysning fryst vatten also available online from the EPA.