Let’s break down the bad news first – there are no treatments or cures for radon poisoning. However, if you suspect that you’re suffering from radon poisoning, then it’s time to further limit the exposure. Doing so will ensure that your lungs don’t get further damaged and other symptoms from becoming worse. And to do that, you have to experiment your home for any potential sources of radon. In case the radon tests turn out to be positive, then you have to undertake immediate steps in lessening the effect inside your home.
Therefore, in this comprehensive blog, we’ll be talking about the procedures that you should follow when you’ve been poisoned by radon.
What Do You Mean By Radon?
Radon is a tasteless, odourless and invisible gas that’s radioactive. It’s created due to the breakdown of Uranium. According to a professional service provider for radon testing in Glen Ridge, when Uranium starts to decay, it leads to the formation of radium and radium breaks down to form radon.
Radon can be found in the water and air around you. But, it’s harmless when found outdoors. When radon is trapped inside your home, then it can become dangerous when inhaled. Large amounts of radon can lead to severe health issues and reports suggest that 21,000 lung cancer deaths are mainly due to radon poisoning.
How Can You Get Exposed To Radon?
You can get exposed to radon through the air you breathe. Radon can be found in any possible environment – your home, workplace or any other area. Radon usually leaks through the earth and then enters your home through the cracks in the walls and foundation. And once radon gets inside your home, it becomes trapped inside and thereby builds up over an extended period.
Radon levels are expected to be much higher inside well-insulated homes or where the soil is rich in thorium, uranium and radium. It has been estimated that one in almost fifteen homes are affected by radon.
What Should You Do When You’re Exposed To Radon?
The bad news is that – there are no medical tests to measure whether you’ve been exposed to radon. But, if you’re anxious, you can always get in touch with a professional doctor and reveal the symptoms that you’re facing. You can also get your health checked up as well.
Moreover, since radon exposure leads to lung cancer, you also have to look for any signs of lung cancer via tests. Symptoms of radon poisoning include:
- Tightness in the chest
- Chest pain
- Trouble when swallowing
- Shortness of breath
- Appetite loss
- Persistent coughing
It should be known that cigarette smoke can also lead to lung cancer. So, if you’re a smoker and also have been exposed to radon, then the risks of lung cancer will be higher.
Don’t Disremember To Test Your Home For Radon
The best way you can avoid getting poisoned by radon is to simply test your home for any elevated levels of radon. Even if your neighbour’s home doesn’t have any traces of radon, you should still check for the same. The levels of radon will vary from one home to another.
The process of testing is easy – you can either do it on your own via radon testing kits or hire professional experts to do it. The latter option is the better choice out of the two.
If the radon level in your home is more than four picocuries per litre, then you have to opt for radon reduction procedures.
In case you desire to know more about our professional radon testing methods, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our specialists right away. We have the ideal expertise to help you.
