While it’s well-known that radon causes lung cancer, a new study in NeuroImage shows a potential correlation between radon exposure and attention deficits in children. (Radon’s impact on attention in children)
After analyzing 56 participants from ages 6–14, scientists found a potential link between radon exposure in a home and a child’s attention patterns. To put it simply, children who were exposed to higher levels of radon showed different brain activity compared to those who were exposed to less radon. Particularly, the areas of the brain that impact attention and focus didn’t work as they were expected to.
In some instances, the brain had more activity when it should have had less activity, and in other cases, it had less activity when it should have had more. While the brain tries to stay on task, it’s not doing so efficiently. The study also found that radon exposure may impact the areas of the brain that mature throughout adolescence.
While this is the first study of its kind, and more data is needed, the impact of radon on a child’s development can’t be underestimated. To protect your loved ones, test your home for radon with a free test from UtahRadon.org. -- Radon’s impact on attention in children
