What you need to know about radon and indoor air quality

source

When we talk of clean air we normally think of the fresh air that comes from the forest, plants and the cool wind that we feel sometimeswhen the wind blows. ,Many people in the world including you only thinks that quality air is the one that they experience outside or outdoor.And when we talk of bad air they tune their minds to the smog that comes from the factories, fumes from the exhaust of vehicles and the smoke from burning materials such as the one from burning car tyres. We turn to talk more about outdoor air quality but in reality we as human beings spend about 85 percent of our time indoor , hence air quality should be our major concern and it should be given a firsthand treatment Indoor air quality is the quality of the air within the confines of your building and around it as well.Indoor air quality affects our health , comfort and the general well being of people living in the building.
Radon is one of the most important pollutant of indoor air quality.
Radon is a radioactive gas that naturally occurs in different forms known as isotopes.Radon has a two decay chains which makes it occur in the uranium and thorium .They can also occur in rocks , water and air.
Radon is an inert gas which makes it tastes less odourless and it is indistinguishable to the human senses.Radon does not have any commercial use .It is the main cause of carcinogenic diseases in poor ventilated places such as our homes, offices and schools.
Radon is the numbers cause of environmental health hazard in the world

source
Sources of radon

Soil gas
Building materials
Tap water
Gas appliances
Stoves and ovens
Heaters
The natural gas we use has been previously extracted from underground which has been in contact with uranium and thorium .This means that natural gas contain radon so anytime we burn our gas to cook food in our homes we release radon into the breathing air can pollute the indoor air.
Within the framework of scientific study and analysis model for radon concentration in homes.It had been concluded that the infiltration of soil gas into the homes is the major contributor to indoor pollution

In region where water supplies are drawn from underground sources will also have a high risk of radon indoor air pollution in the homes .Especially when the water is taken from the aquifers in granite rocks and other radium strata of the rocks components.
Building materials that are used in the construction of the homes , schools and offices can also be a significant source of radon for tightly built homes.
Mostly old building also release radon as cracks in the floor and walls can serve as a passage for radon into the house.

source
Who has higher risk of radon

Those who smoke tobacco has a higher chance of of being getting health complications as radon is one of the main chemicals found in the cigarette and the tobacco that people ihale or consume. According to a recent survey in the United States states that approximately more 23,200 of tobacco smokers are at risk to lung cancer.And it is estimated that in every 63 percent of every thousand smokers are suffering from lung cancer.

source
The non smokers. This are innocent people who have never smoke before but are more prone to serious health problems due to exposure from those smoking. Studies show that that this people even have a higher level of risk than those even smoking the tabacco.They may suffer from lung cancers which might even results to death.

Uranium miners.Those who mine uranium also has high risk of radon exposure because of their consistent exposure to the radon.Miners can suffer from high mortality from coronary diseases .
Exposure routes of radon

Inhalation
Radon in the air can be inhaled into the body which might impose a serious health risk on the individual.when there to much dust any area the persons living are more likely to inhale the dust particles into their system which is more likely to cause serious health problems to their lungs .

Ingestion
This is when radon enter your body orally.This can happen when radon is dissolved in water as most of the water are coming radium bearing rocks .An individual who drinks this radon water might face some health problems.It can result to the person getting stomach cancer.

Dermal exposure
Radon is a noble gas and can diffuse into the skin without the involvement of any active transport.
With all this exposure routes children and old persons are more sensitive to effect of radon as they stand a tenfold chance of getting carcinogenic diseases.

The impact of radon on your health
Constant chest pain
Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
It can trigger other lung infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.
It can lead to coughing up in blood
It cause a consistent cough which does not go away but always increases the impact.
Lung Cancer
Radon usually damage the cells of your lungs by releasing radiation which a damage your lungs in no time hence causing lung cancer.
The effects of radon on the environment.
Even though radon occurs naturally in the environment.Most of the human activities like the the burning of coal ,mining of uranium and phosphate release a chunk of radon into the atmosphere.This causes the radon to mix with the dust and other particles in the environment which can easily be inhaled by people or even enter our homes .The radon may also move downward and enter into our ground water storages.But on most occasions the radon will just remain in the soil.

Control of radon in the home

source

Always increase the flow of air into the you by opening windows and using fans to ensure maximum ventilation

Seal all cracks in the floor of the house and on the walls around the house .As this serve as the source of radon
The use of air purifiers at home and offices
We should always follow the manufacturers guidelines to reduce the risk of radon exposure.
Installing radon sump systems in the floor of the basement .
Improving ventilation of in the building in the area of energy conservation.

Journal of air pollution and control
source

Agency for toxic substances and disease registry

source
Centres for disease control and prevention

source

source