Science of The Total Environment released a new study showing a link between radon exposure and childhood leukemia
A recent study of over 700 counties, including counties in Utah, found a potential link between radon exposure and childhood leukemia.
What radon is and why you should know about it
Radon is a radioactive gas that rises from the soil and into homes. It’s present all across the state of Utah, and when it concentrates to high levels indoors, it can cause severe health issues. One in three homes in Utah have high radon levels, posing a significant risk to the health of Utahns statewide.
The health impact of radon exposure
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and new studies have shown links between radon and other types of cancer. Specifically, a new report found a higher risk of childhood leukemia was associated with radon exposure. Even more, the exposure level linked to leukemia was lower than the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommendation for installing a radon mitigation system.
Children tend to be at a higher risk of disease with radon exposure due to their increased respiratory rate, lung size, and lung shape differences compared to adults. Additionally, kids’ bedrooms may be located in basements or the lowest level of a home where radon concentrations are highest.
While more studies are needed to understand the impact of radon exposure on children, it’s becoming clear that there may be terrible outcomes if kids are exposed to radon over a prolonged period. Leukemia is the most common cancer in children, and we must do everything we can to reduce potential leukemia diagnoses.
What you can do if you have high radon levels
While radon exposure is dangerous, there are steps you can take to avoid a potentially life-threatening diagnosis. The first is to test your home. It is the only way to detect radon. If you have never tested your home for radon, you can request a free radon test from UtahRadon.org.
If you tested your home for radon and found a high radon level, it’s crucial to have a radon mitigation system installed. These systems can significantly lower the home’s radon to a safer level to protect everyone inside.
