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Lung Cancer
Lung cancer represents one
of the most challenging health threats in the United
States and around the world. It is the leading cause of
cancer death in both men and women. It occurs at high
rates and kills most of its victims.
Lung cancer is the
uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both of
the lungs. While normal lung tissue cells reproduce and
develop into healthy lung tissue, these abnormal cells
reproduce rapidly and never grow into normal lung
tissue. Lumps of cancer cells (tumors) then form and
disrupt the lung, making it difficult to function
properly.
More
from National Cancer Institute>>
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How Radon causes Lung Cancer
As the only gas in the
decay chains of radioactive heavy metals, radon and its
floating radioactive products can easily get into human
body by inhalation. After radon gas is inhaled, it
readily dissolves in the blood and circulates through
the body, organs, and tissues, until it is again exhaled
through the lungs or skin. It produces radioactive
particles as radon atoms undergo radioactive decay, and
they disintegrate into radiation and radon progeny
("daughters") - solid heavy metal particles of lead,
polonium, and bismuth. These minute, electrically
charged and chemically active particles float in the
air, and when breathed in, some (less than 1%) get
trapped permanently in the airways where they can
radiate and penetrate the cells of the pulmonary tissues
that line the lung and damage the cells . Radon
increases the incidence of all histological types of
lung cancer, including small cell carcinoma.
More
from NCDENR>>
Evidence that Radon causes Lung Cancer
The epidemiologic evidence
on radon and lung cancer risk comes from (1) cohort
studies of underground miners with rather high levels of
radon exposure, (2) case-control studies that compare
radon exposure of persons with lung cancer and
appropriate controls from the general population, and
(3) ecologic studies comparing lung cancer deaths or
incidence across geographic areas with differing levels
of radon exposure. The US Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) has set an action level of 4 pCi/L
as an annual average for homes and schools,
and the National Council of Radiation Protection
recommends a limit of no more than 8 pCi/L
indoors.
More from EPA>>
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Solving
the
Radon problem in your home
If your home has only
slightly elevated levels of radon, you can lower the
radon levels by sealing cracks in your basement or
foundation in your home. If your home is found to have
elevated levels of radon, radon mitigation contractors
can help you alleviate the problem.
More info>>
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