Radon is known for causing lung cancer, but did you know that radon exposure may increase the risk of stroke?
What is radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas that rises from the ground after uranium decays. Utah has high levels of uranium in the soil, which means many homes in Utah have high radon levels inside. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and causes around 21,000 deaths per year, and more studies are coming out that show other health impacts outside of lung cancer.
Stroke risk and radon exposure
Two new studies have linked radon exposure to an increased risk of stroke. According to the first study in Neurology, “Radon exposure is associated with moderately increased stroke risk among middle-aged and older women in the United States.” Even more, they found a 14% increased risk among post-menopausal women with radon levels at or above 2.0 pCi/L.
A study in Medicine looked into the relationship between indoor radon levels and strokes. According to the report, “Indoor radon levels were significantly higher in the participants with stroke, and the prevalence of stroke increased as indoor radon levels increased.”
Although more studies are needed, it’s essential to recognize the trends emerging in radon and health outcomes.
What you can do about radon
To protect yourself and your loved ones from radon-induced disease, it’s important to test your home for radon. You can receive a free radon test by clicking here.
(Studies find radon exposure may increase the risk of stroke)
