What Are the Symptoms of High Radon Exposure?

You're here for a reason, you might have one of these symptoms. Fear not! We are here to explain. 

 

One of radon’s most dangerous qualities is its lack of immediate symptoms. Unlike other harmful substances, you won’t feel, taste, or smell radon. This makes it impossible to detect without proper testing. However, over time, radon exposure can lead to significant health issues.

The most serious health concern associated with radon is lung cancer. Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, surpassed only by smoking. Early symptoms of lung cancer that may arise from prolonged radon exposure include:

• Persistent coughing that doesn’t go away.
• Chest pain or tightness.
• Wheezing or shortness of breath.
• Recurring respiratory infections like bronchitis or pneumonia.
• Coughing up blood.

These symptoms often appear only after extensive damage has occurred. If you experience any of these issues, consult a healthcare provider or doctor immediately. However, the best course of action is prevention through testing and mitigation.

Can You Recover from Radon Poisoning?

There’s no way to reverse exposure to radon itself, as the gas leaves no physical traces once you’ve been exposed. However, the health effects caused by radon, such as lung cancer, can be treated if detected early. Regular health screenings are essential, especially if you live in a high-radon area or have been exposed to elevated levels over time.

Preventing future exposure is the best solution. Reducing radon levels in your home significantly lowers your risk of developing health complications.

How Quickly Can Radon Affect You?

Radon doesn’t cause immediate harm. Its effects accumulate over time, often taking years to manifest. Prolonged exposure increases the risk of lung cancer, particularly for smokers. The length of exposure and the concentration of radon both play a role in determining your level of risk.

What Homes Are Most at Risk for Radon?

Radon can infiltrate any home, regardless of its age, design, or location. However, certain factors make some homes more vulnerable than others:

• Basements and Crawl Spaces: Homes with basements or crawl spaces are at higher risk because radon enters from the ground and accumulates in lower levels.
• Poor Ventilation: Poorly ventilated homes trap radon, allowing levels to build up over time.
• Foundation Cracks: Cracks in floors, walls, and foundations provide easy entry points for radon gas.

High-risk zones are typically located in areas with uranium-rich soil. However, radon is present everywhere, making testing essential for all homes.

How to Detect Radon in Your Home

Radon is undetectable without specialized equipment. Testing is the only way to know if your home has elevated radon levels. There are two primary ways to test:\

• DIY Test Kits: Affordable and easy to use, these kits are available online or at hardware stores. Place the kit in the lowest livable area of your home for a designated period (often 2–7 days) and send it to a lab for analysis.
• Professional Testing: Hiring a certified radon professional ensures accurate results and provides peace of mind.

Check your local government or health department for radon maps that indicate areas with high average levels.

What Causes Radon, and Where Is It Found?

Radon forms naturally as uranium in the soil breaks down into radium, which then decays into radon gas. This gas seeps through the ground and enters homes through:

• Cracks in foundations, floors, and walls.
• Gaps around service pipes.
• Construction joints.
• Well water in some cases.

Radon is most commonly found in:

• Areas with high uranium concentrations in the soil.
• Basements and lower levels of homes, where the gas accumulates due to its weight.
• Regions with poor ventilation or older construction techniques.

What Happens When Radon Levels Are High in Your Home?

High radon levels can have significant health consequences. The longer you are exposed to elevated radon levels, the higher your risk of developing lung cancer. Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that become trapped in your lungs when you breathe, damaging lung tissue over time.

5 Quick Facts About Radon

1. Silent and Invisible Threat: Radon is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, making it impossible to detect without testing.
2. Lung Cancer Risk: Radon exposure is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the U.S.
3. Every Home at Risk: No home or structure is immune to radon; testing is necessary regardless of location.
4. Seasonal Fluctuations: Radon levels often increase in winter when homes are sealed and ventilation decreases.
5. Mitigation Works: Radon mitigation systems can reduce levels by up to 99%.

How to Remove, Mitigation, Prevent Radon from Your Home

If testing reveals high radon levels, mitigation is essential. Here are the most effective methods:

• Sub-Slab Depressurization: A radon mitigation system uses a fan and vent pipe to draw radon out from beneath your home and release it safely outdoors.
• Sealing Cracks: Sealing cracks in floors, walls, and foundations helps prevent radon from entering your home.
• Improved Ventilation: Increasing ventilation reduces radon accumulation, especially in basements and crawl spaces.
• Professional mitigation systems are the most reliable solution for significantly reducing radon levels.

When Is Radon Highest?

...or when are radon levels high? Radon levels can fluctuate throughout the day and year. They are typically highest:

• At Night: Reduced ventilation during nighttime can cause levels to spike.
• In Winter: Sealing homes against cold weather traps radon inside, increasing concentrations.
• Regular testing ensures you’re aware of any seasonal or daily fluctuations.

How to Reduce Radon Levels Quickly

If radon levels are dangerously high, take immediate action:

• Ventilation: Open windows and use fans to increase airflow temporarily.
• Professionaly-Installed Radon Mitigation System: Install a sub-slab depressurization system as a long-term solution. Consult a licensed professional.
• Seal Entry Points: Seal cracks and openings in your home’s foundation to minimize radon entry.

Protecting Your Home and Health

Radon has been known to be a silent and invisible threat to most living things, but it’s one you can address with the right knowledge and tools. Regular testing, awareness of radon symptoms, and proactive mitigation can protect your family from its health risks. Whether you live in a high-risk area or not, testing your home and taking preventative measures is the key to long-term safety. Stay informed, act quickly, and make radon awareness a priority for your home. For professional consult and proven services, contact your local National Radon Defense dealer.