Do you live in Alaska, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, or Washington? Does your house have a basement? Moreover, do you fall sick too often? Well, the chances are maybe your property is susceptible to radon, a colourless, tasteless, odourless, and radioactive gas that affects millions of Americans every year. It is also responsible for more than 20,000 deaths due to lung cancer caused by high radon exposure.
If you are already aware of the health risks of radon, you might have probably had a radon test done to determine the levels. If you live in the states mentioned above, those have recorded the highest levels of radon to date. However, radon is a health hazard even if you are far away from the risk-prone zones, and maintaining its levels is crucial to protect your loved ones.
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Does Radon Cause Headaches?
At Radon Gas Detector Reviews, we get a lot of questions, the most common being, “what are the symptoms of radon exposure?” More specifically, people want to know whether something as simple as just another headache can result from the elevated levels of this cancer-causing gas?
Well, there is quite a lot of confusion surrounding this topic. But, we will answer the question in this blog and tell you if radon is to blame for your pains or not!
Radon: Definition, Causes, & Symptoms
You may ask, what is radon gas and what causes it? Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is impossible to avoid as it is produced by materials found in the earth’s crust. This carcinogenic gas develops from the radioactive decay of radium. Since it is radioactive, radon has the potential to impact your health significantly.
Radon can be present in the air outside and inside as well as in water. Mostly, you will find it indoors as poorly, or less ventilated structures trap the gas inside in higher quantities. Also, since it is invisible, you cannot detect its presence without the help of special detection devices called Radon Test Kits or Radon Gas Detectors. You can find these devices easily at the nearest hardware store or online. Ideally, you can get results in just a few hours to some weeks or a year (for accurate testing).
Possible symptoms to identify radon exposure in your home might include:
- Appetite loss
- Chest pain
- Chest tightness
- Coughing blood
- Difficulty breathing
- Hoarseness
- Infections
- Persistent cough and cold
- Unexplained fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Wheezing
What Are Acceptable Radon Levels?
Indeed, radon is a health hazard. But once radon elimination measures are in place, homeowners need not worry about the air quality in their homes. Radon test kits are pretty effective (and readily available) in determining the radon levels in your property. If the levels are a bit off or dangerously high, radon mitigation systems come to your rescue. But if you see no traces of radon, you are good to go.
But the million-dollar question is – what are the acceptable levels of radon in your home?
Well, according to EPA, no amount of radon exposure can be considered safe. However, you must ensure maintaining levels below four pCi/L (picocuries per litre) in your home. In addition, radon levels can vary based on different seasons, with winters being the most vulnerable. So, it is best to get a good-quality, professional-grade radon test kit suitable for home use and keep track of the levels. For your information, electronic test kits display the levels on the digital screen, whereas passive radon detectors have to be sent to a lab to get the results.
What Is Radon Poisoning?
When you or your loved ones are exposed to high levels of radon, the situation becomes dangerous. Poisoning symptoms show up only with time and not instantly. The gas slowly starts to accumulate in your body and finally gives you a setback when you cannot afford to ignore your condition. This is a very serious situation as exposure to large amounts results in cancer or similar indications. You must not wait until that happens. Do the needful and stay alert.
No matter where you live in The States, you can be exposed to some level of radon. If you are constantly facing any difficulty, in other words, if you suspect radon poisoning symptoms, you must act immediately. Schedule radon testing in your property, see a specialist and install a radon mitigation system if the culprit is radon.
Does Radon Cause Headaches?
Radon is a silent poison, and it breaks down inside the human body quite quickly. Despite that, radon symptoms take longer to show up. However, one of the initial signs to identify radon exposure is said to be a headache.
To your surprise, radon does NOT cause headaches.
Radon is a carcinogenic or cancer-causing gas. Unlike many other gases, radon effects do not include headache, nausea, or dizziness. However, continually being exposed to radon can cause confusion as the body tries to cope with the inflammation. The toxins building up in the body can further lead to conditions that eventually cause throbbing headaches. But, radon alone and directly cannot be blamed for causing headaches of any type.
In reality, many people spend years in a radon exposed property without developing any problems. However, the situation can also be the opposite of many others. The only way out is to stay aware and observant.
Other Health Risks
Inhaling radon gas or drinking water containing elevated radon levels doesn’t have any short-term health risks. However, prolonged exposure can be critical. You might experience upset stomach, fever, skin inflammation, eye irritation, brain fog, lung/ tissue damage, and stomach or lung cancer.
Test Your Home For Radon Today!
Radon affects Americans significantly, mainly depending on the area you live in. Testing is the only way to tell how much radon is present in your property and keep yourself safe. Make sure you use only a certified radon test kit or mitigation system to fight the menace.
For more such blogs, keep in touch. We believe in sharing our knowledge, so you can be at ease that you have a resource to rely on for all-thing-radon. With proper knowledge, you can protect yourself and everyone around you.