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. It causes approximately 20,000 deaths in the United States annually, and is now becoming a major concern for every home owner. Generally, it is a result of radioactivity from the chemical uranium that is found in various sources like soils, underground earth and rocks.

What is Radon?
It 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. It 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 its sources in the house. It is the major contributor of ionizing source of radiation that affects the general population. It is the condition that affects an individual when this gas is inhaled. When inhaled, it leads to decay of two extremely short lived products of Radon, called 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.

Properties of the Radon Gas
The properties of this gas are as follows

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

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

Effects
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 this poisoning.

Prevention
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. Poison 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 any lethal poisoning.

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