Radon Poisoning in Children

According to reports, Radon poisoning causes more number of deaths in the US than the toxic household cleaners and lead paints. Radon poisoning causes approximately 20,000 deaths in the United States annually, and is now becoming a major concern for every home owner. Radon poisoning is a result of radioactivity from the chemical uranium that is found in various sources like soils, underground earth and rocks.

What is Radon Poisoning?
Before we discuss about radon poisoning in children let's discuss about the radon gas that is responsible for radon poisoning. Radon is basically a radioactive gas that mainly comes from soil (especially granite) and is produced by the decay of uranium that exists in the ground below us. Radon gas seeps into our home through the cracks in the foundation and gets trapped indoors if the ventilation system in our homes is improper. The basement of the house and underground water pipes can also be the sources of radon poisoning in houses. Radon gas is the major contributor of ionizing source of radiation that affects the general population. Radon poisoning is the condition that affects an individual when radon gas is inhaled. Radon when inhaled, leads to decay of two extremely short lived products of Radon, called as Polonium - 218 ( ²¹⁸Po) and Polonium - 214 ( ²¹⁴Po). These two decay products combine with the biological system of our body and can prove to be fatal. Know more on Radon gas.

Radon Gas Properties
The properties of radon gas are as follows

• Radon is an inert gas with the chemical symbol 'Rn' and its atomic mass unit is 222 and atomic number 86.
• Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas, making it extremely difficult to detect.
• Radon is part of the uranium decay chain, wherein uranium decay results in the formation of radium, the predecessor of Radon.
• The half-life of radon is 3.8 days. Half-life is the time required for a radioactive substance to decrease by half of its original amount.

Radon Poisoning Signs
Since Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas it is extremely difficult to detect the Radon poisoning signs. Just like the radiation poisoning symptoms, radon poisoning signs are also toxic to humans. Extensive research carried out by medical experts and reports by WHO suggest that Radon exposure in homes increases the chances of lung cancer. Approximately 4% to15% of the lung cancer cases have been directly or indirectly linked to Radon poisoning. Radon poisoning in children is rather limited, however, the ill-effects of radon poisoning in children can't be completely denied. Studies have shown that children are more susceptible to radon poisoning due to the less developed immune system and differences in breathing patterns than adults. Indoor Radon poisoning in children poses the biggest threat to the children as they spend nearly 70% of their time at home. Radon poisoning in children and elderly, disrupts the functioning of DNA and causes lung cancer in later stages of life. So, even small concentrations of Radon exposure for long periods can increase the risk of lung cancer. Read more on radon gas poisoning symptoms.

Effects of Radon Poisoning
The disastrous effect of Radon poisoning in the United States is that it is the primary reason for lung cancer in the non-smoking population. Though in the early stages of exposure, Radon does not show any signs of skin irritation or any normal signs of poisoning, long term exposure leads to some respiratory problems like emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis. Some effects like interfering with the DNA of the body and chromosomal aberrations have been found in the acute cases of Radon poisoning.

Prevention of Radon Poisoning
The World Health Organization (WHO) has enacted various laws, for the builders and home owners, so that the risk of Radon exposure is reduced to minimum possible levels. Radon resistant techniques are employed in the construction of buildings and improved ventilation systems are mandatory in every house. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the WHO suggest radon testing techniques for Radon poisoning, up to the third floor of all homes. Citizens all over the US are encouraged to take precautions while constructing their homes, to avoid the threats of Radon poisoning.

Radon poisoning in children poses the threat of chronic lung diseases. Just because there is not enough medical evidence to suggest the cases of Radon poisoning in children, it does not mean that we avoid taking the precautions. The test for Radon presence in homes is an inexpensive one and every home owner must surely get it done by experts. Radon levels more than 4pC/L (picocuries per liter) are considered dangerous, so testing is essential. Radon prevention is easier if the precautionary measures are adopted properly.