Radon Exposure: How it Compares to Cigarette Smoking
Radon exposure is a significant health risk for Canadian homeowners. While cigarette smoking is well-known for causing lung cancer, many people underestimate the dangers of radon poisoning. This article explores how radon exposure compares to smoking, the combined risks of smoking and radon, and how homeowners can protect themselves through radon testing and mitigation.
The Risks of Radon Exposure
Radon is a radioactive gas that naturally occurs in soil, rock, and water. It seeps into homes through cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, and other entry points. Because radon is odorless and invisible, it often goes undetected—leading to prolonged radon exposure that can significantly increase lung cancer risk.
Radon Cancer: A Silent Threat
Health Canada identifies radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. Long-term exposure to high radon levels damages lung tissue, leading to radon cancer. The risk is particularly high for people who smoke, as the combination of smoking and radon greatly increases the chances of developing lung cancer.
Radon Exposure Symptoms
Unlike cigarette smoke, which has immediate health effects like coughing and shortness of breath, radon exposure symptoms are not immediately noticeable. Instead, radon poisoning occurs over time, with no early warning signs. Symptoms of radon-related lung cancer can include:
- Persistent cough
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Hoarseness
- Coughing up blood
By the time these symptoms appear, lung cancer is often in an advanced stage. This makes early radon testing and mitigation crucial for homeowners.
Comparing Radon Exposure to Cigarette Smoking
Radon exposure and cigarette smoking both damage lung tissue and increase cancer risk, but their effects differ in terms of timeline and severity. For example, a nonsmoker living in a home with an undetected radon problem is 16 times more likely to develop lung cancer. Meanwhile, for a smoker in the same environment, those odds balloon to 250 times more likely. Suffice to say, smoking and radon together create an extremely dangerous combination.
How to Address Radon Exposure
If you suspect your home is at risk of severe radon poisoning, it’s important to act quickly. Here’s how to identify and eliminate the threat of radon in your home:
DIY and Professional Radon Testing
Given the serious risks of radon poisoning, every homeowner should test their home for radon and take action if levels exceed Canadian safety guidelines. Homeowners can purchase radon test kits from hardware stores or online. But for more precise results, hiring a professional is recommended. Experts use continuous radon monitors that provide real-time readings, allowing homeowners to quickly assess their radon levels and take necessary action.
Professional Radon Mitigation
A radon mitigation system is the best way to reduce indoor radon levels. The most common method, sub-slab depressurization, uses a vent pipe and fan to draw radon from beneath the foundation and safely release it. Properly installed systems can significantly lower radon levels, protecting homeowners from the health risks associated with long-term radon exposure, such as lung cancer.
Protect Your Home from Radon Exposure with Groundworks
Radon exposure is a serious but preventable health risk. By understanding the connection between smoking and radon, homeowners can take informed steps to reduce their risk.
Whether you’re a smoker or a non-smoker, addressing radon issues in your home can significantly decrease the chances of developing radon poisoning and its long-term effects. If your have a radon problem, Groundworks can help. Contact our radon mitigation team today to get started with a free inspection.
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