Cigarette Smoking and Radon…A Double Whammy
You have smoked for many years or you know someone who has and just can’t seem to quit. I get it! Smoking cessation is one of the most difficult tasks a cigarette addicted human will ever go through. It challenges the heart (literally) and the soul!
Add long term exposure to elevated levels of radioactive radon gas into the mix and the results on the lungs can be disastrous. Long term exposure to elevated levels of radon has been proven to cause lung cancer and recent studies have shown radon can affect other organs in the body as well. Cigarette smoking has been proven to cause lung cancer so together, smoking and radon can magnify the results.
The EPA’s Citizen’s Guide to Radon notes lung cancer in people who smoke and have been exposed to elevated radon levels over a long term basis is significantly higher than those who have not smoked. Please see the charts below:
Both scenarios are easily corrected! One has a choice to smoke and it is never too late to stop for improved health benefits. A home with elevated radon levels can be fixed by installing a radon mitigation system by a professional and is one of the least expensive and most beneficial home repairs that can be performed.
Test Your Home…Protect Your Family…Stop Smoking for yourself and for those who love you.