Radon is a harmful chemical prevailing in many households across the United States. Long-term radon exposure can give birth to various medical conditions, including lung cancer. Although a person does not fall sick immediately after the exposure, living in a radon-concentrated environment for a long time can significantly harm your health.
Since radon is naturally occurring and not a man-made substance, it is impossible to remove it entirely from the environment. Therefore, we must try our best to avoid it. If you are already exposed to radon, call radon testing in New Jersey today.
Is There a Cure for Radon Poisoning?
Unfortunately, scientists and the medical field have yet to develop a cure for radon poisoning. When you breathe radon, small particles enter your lungs and settle there. These are carcinogenic substances, and long-term exposure can cause lung cancer.
As of now, there is no cure for lung cancer. Therefore, the best way to protect yourself from radon poisoning is to limit the exposure as much as possible. However, this won’t cure lung cancer but can stop it from developing into a worse and incurable state.
To protect yourself from radon, it is important to test every potential source of radon in your home and workplace. If the tests show a high level of radon concentration, you must immediately take steps to reduce the levels of radon. If radon gets trapped in your home, it could present various severe problems.
How Do People Get Exposed to Radon?
If radon is present in your area in New Jersey, you can get exposed to it through the air, soil, water, and even the meat you consume. However, breathing contaminated air and drinking contaminated water is when you are most exposed to the gas.
Since you spend most of your day at home, it is important to get rid of radon there. Radon can enter your house through your doors, windows, and even the cracks in your foundation. Once radon enters your home, it gets trapped there and builds up.
What are the Symptoms of Radon Poisoning?
People are so slow to realize the presence of radon in their homes because the symptoms do not start immediately. They only appear when you have been exposed for too long. The main symptoms of radon poisoning are associated with lung cancer:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- New, worsening, or persistent cough
- Tightness in the chest
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble swallowing
If you are a cigarette smoker, your chances of getting lung cancer increase because it pairs with radon poisoning. Therefore, if you smoke and if you have been exposed to radon, you need to quit as soon as possible.