Recognizing Radon exposure symptoms in Kids
3,300+ Canadians die from radon-induced lung cancer annually
What is Radon?
Radon, formed naturally on the Earth’s crust, is a radioactive gas, a decay product of Uranium. Which means soil with a higher uranium concentration will also emit elevated radon levels. Unfortunately, Alberta, especially the foothills region, is one of the hotspots in Canada.
Radioactive gas that easily penetrates homes and workplaces, and it becomes even more dangerous when it finds its way into schools and day care centres. Although the effects of high concentration on delicate lungs are not as immediate as carbon monoxide poisoning, prolonged exposure can lead to dire consequences.
How it penitrates?
- Cracks in foundation walls and floors
- Gaps around pipes and drains
- Sump pump pits and floor drains
- Well water (in some cases)
- Building materials containing radium
This guide will help you recognize symptoms of high radon exposure in children and also discuss quantifiable preventive steps that, when implemented, reduce radon risk to substantial levels.
What are physical symtoms of Radon in Children?
What makes radon extraordinarily dangerous is its stealth nature. Unfortunately, by the time the symptoms start to appear, it’s already too late. In most children, the symptoms appear with the onset of lung cancer.
The common Radon Symptoms are:
- Persistent coughing
- Wheezing
- Coughing up Blood
- Shortness of Breath
- Chest Pain
- Frequent lung infections
The Visul cues of Radon presence:
So clearly, waiting for the physical symptoms is not the right course of action. In some instances, the symptoms are very visual, and luckily, in this case, it’s the building that screams about the danger. Although they are not the surest indicator of higher Radon concentration, they are definitely an indicator of elivated of soil gas. Now, if the soil gas has higher levels of radon in it? Only a radon gas test will prove.
- Cracks in the slab
- Dampness in the basement
- Presence of mold in the basement
Testing: Your First Line of Defense
Radonators, the C_NRPP Certified radon experts in High River, provide testing and mitigation services in Calgary, including High River, Okotoks, Cochrane, Canmore, Airdrie, and the surrounding foothill area.