Radon Gas: Mechanisms, Effects, and Solutions
Abstract This paper discusses radon gas, which is produced as a byproduct of the natural decomposition of uranium in rocks, soil, and water. Gas build-up in enclosed dwellings such as houses, apartment and office buildings, factories, and schools is a major concern in many parts of the country. Human exposure to high concentrations of this gas for extended periods of time can be extremely damaging to health. Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate of any cancer, and it is estimated that 15% of all cases of lung cancer in the United States result from exposure to radon gas. The government has taken steps to mitigate this problem, but the problem still persists. There are simple and inexpensive methods to drastically reduce the risks of radon gas exposure, and pursuing such mitigation could play a significant role in drastic reduction of lung cancer prevalence.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 4
ENVIRONMENTAL MECHANISMS 4
BIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS 7
DISEASES & EPIDEMIOLOGY 9
LEGISLATION, POLICY, & RESEARCH 11
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES 13
CONCLUSION 15
REFERENCES 16
Radon Gas: Mechanisms, Effects, & Solutions
Introduction
Over 171,000 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States, and nearly 130,000 people die of this disease every year. (Field, 2000) There is no other cancer that kills more often than this one, and what makes these deaths even more regrettable is the fact that most of them could have been avoided had irresponsible lifestyle choices not been made. While cigarette smoke is by far the leading cause of lung cancer, there is also another harmful carcinogen that plays an important role in the prevalence of this disease. Radon is a natural radioactive gas that emanates from the ground into the air. This carcinogen is present in the environment worldwide, and its concentration depends on the highly variable uranium content of the soil. (Radon, 2005) It is produced as a byproduct of the natural
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 4
ENVIRONMENTAL MECHANISMS 4
BIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS 7
DISEASES & EPIDEMIOLOGY 9
LEGISLATION, POLICY, & RESEARCH 11
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES 13
CONCLUSION 15
REFERENCES 16
Radon Gas: Mechanisms, Effects, & Solutions
Introduction
Over 171,000 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States, and nearly 130,000 people die of this disease every year. (Field, 2000) There is no other cancer that kills more often than this one, and what makes these deaths even more regrettable is the fact that most of them could have been avoided had irresponsible lifestyle choices not been made. While cigarette smoke is by far the leading cause of lung cancer, there is also another harmful carcinogen that plays an important role in the prevalence of this disease. Radon is a natural radioactive gas that emanates from the ground into the air. This carcinogen is present in the environment worldwide, and its concentration depends on the highly variable uranium content of the soil. (Radon, 2005) It is produced as a byproduct of the natural
References: Blot, W J., Z Y. Xu, and D Z. Zhao. (1990) "Indoor radon and lung cancer in China." Journal of the National Cancer Institute 82: 1025-1030. Cancer Survivors Against Radon. Retrieved October 1, 2005 from http://www.cansar.org/ Field, R W., Daniel J. Steck, and Brian J. Smith. (2000) "Residential Radon Gas Exposure and Lung Cancer: The Iowa Radon Lung Cancer Study." American Krewski, D, J M. Zielinski, and P K. Hopke. (1999) "Characterization of Uncertainty and Variability in Residential Radon Cancer Risks." Annals of the New York Lubin, J H., J D. Boice, and C Edling. (1999) "Lung cancer in radon-exposed miners and estimation of risk from indoor exposure." Journal of the National Cancer Institute Radon Information Center. Retrieved October 1, 2005 from http://www.radon.com/.