Radon gas hazard

What is radon?

Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas. It is easily soluble in water and body fat tissue. Radon gas, which can be detected by special equipment, is produced by the periodic transformation of uranium into other radioactive elements, and since it is in gaseous form, it can spread everywhere. Uranium, which is the basis of radon, is found as a natural radioactive substance in small quantities in rocks, soil and etc. Radon is mainly spread in mines and caves rich in uranium. Although the danger of radioactive spread is weak, radon makes up 50 percent of the natural radiation environment. Radon is found in high amounts in granite and volcanic rocks, mainly in caves and mines where uranium is abundant, and causes serious health problems. Radon can also be found in drinking water.

How does radon enter homes?

Radon gas leaks from underground and fills the basements and over time, spreads into the house through the cracks in the wall, pipes that rise to the house. For this reason, radon is more common in the basement and first floor of the house. In addition, radon can enter the household through stone, sand and soil-containing building materials, drinking water extracted from the subsurface. For various reasons, the level of radon in homes varies from year to year, season to season, and day to day.

Health effects of radon

The most serious effect of radon is alpha radiation from radioactivity. If a person breathes air mixed with radon gas for a long time, he will be exposed to poisoning and low-dose internal radiation. Poisoning of the body with this substance is not felt with any symptoms, but years later, the poisoned person suffers from serious diseases. Radon mixes with water, dust and fog, easily enters the human body through food and respiratory tract and damages the immune system, blood-forming cells, bone marrow, lungs and respiratory tract. This causes lung cancer, blood diseases and genetic diseases.

Ways to protect against radon

Normally, radon gas is found everywhere and is not considered dangerous if its volume is within the norm. Radon contamination of the area is determined by radon asperators. It is considered dangerous if the volume of radon gas exceeds the norm in a closed environment. Since radon is a natural gas, it is removed from the area through ventilation. Radon can be removed from drinking water with simple charcoal filters. To protect against radon, houses should be ventilated often, and cracks in the floor and walls should be closed on the first floor. The level of radon should be measured in houses below the second floor.