A new study has revealed a major disparity in radon gas exposure and related lung cancer risk across rural versus urban communities.
The Big Picture: Dr. Shelandra Bell, Family Medicine, “…did you know that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer?”
Doctor’s Expert Insights about the Role of Radon and Your Health in Bibb County, Georgia
Know this: “For rural dwellers, the message is clear–test your home for radon, especially if you’re using well water. This simple step could safeguard your family’s health! Also, please keep in mind that there’s essentially no known safe level of radon. In other words, the lower the better.
Keep in mind, that if you’re a smoker and live in an environment with high radon levels, quitting smoking is even more crucial. The combination of smoking and radon exposure greatly amplifies lung cancer risk. It’s time to quit. Please talk to your healthcare team about the many options available for you to kick the smoking habit for good!” Dr. Puja Uppal, Family Medicine.
Next Steps: The CDC has a great resource available on radon testing and radon health risks. (Visit Here)
Further Steps: 1-800-QUIT-NOW is a telephone and text-based service to help you quit smoking.
Health News Today: Higher Levels of Radon in Rural Homes
Key Findings for you in for Bibb County:
Study Background
- Rural communities had 31.2% higher average residential radon levels, when compared to compared to urban areas.
- There is a 16% greater lifetime risk of lung cancer for every 100 Bq/m3 increase in radon exposure.
Causes of Higher Rural Radon Exposure In Rural Communities
The presence of groundwater wells was linked to an excess exposure risk for radon levels. Keeping in mind, that radon concentrations in well water itself were too low to account for the impact. This suggests that unintended radon gas migration is occurring in the…
Read the full article here
