Why is radon gas harmful?
Radon is radioactive and unstable. In a very short period of time, it decays and emits alpha particle radiation, which severely damages our DNA in such a way that is almost impossible for our bodies to repair without introducing genetic errors (mutations). These errors trigger a worsening cycle of DNA mutation that drives cancer formation. Hence, radon is listed as a category 1 carcinogen (cancer-causing agent), meaning that it is known to cause cancer in humans. As radon is inhaled into our lungs, it primarily triggers the formation of lung cancer – the number one cause of cancer death in Canada – even in folks who have never smoked. Younger people, especially children, are the most at risk from the DNA damage caused by radon exposure. The risk of cancer goes up with greater radon levels and prolonged exposure over a lifetime.
Radon and lung cancer
- Large population studies show clearly that a person’s lifetime relative risk of lung cancer becomes statistically significant at levels at or more than >100 Bq/m3 of long-term radon exposure.
- There is an additive ~16% increase in relative lifetime risk of lung cancer for every 100 Bq/m3 of long-term radon exposure a person experiences. This finding was based on three independent studies (one in North America, another in Europe, and one from China) involving >10,000 lung cancer patients and >10,000 healthy controls all published in 2004 – 2005.
- Using over 29,000 radon-tested properties, our 2021 study showed that radon exposure is occurring at levels known to cause cancer, with the top 10 highest exposures seeing the equivalent of 1500 – 12,000 chest x-rays worth of radiation per year!
