Her experience in Occupational Medicine at National Jewish and previous institutions has given her the expertise in the effects of Radon on your health. From Home to Health Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas which is imperceptible to people. Radon gas occurs naturally from the radioactive decay of radium which is an element found in nearly all rocks and soils. Radon diffuses through soil and into homes entering primarily through sump holes, dirt floors, floor drains, cinder block walls and through cracks in foundations and concrete floors.
Radon causes no symptoms of irritation and no acute illness.
Radon is of concern because of its ability to cause lung cancer. Radon has been shown to increase the risk for the development of lung cancer in underground miners working in areas with high radon concentrations. Because of what has been learned about radon and the health of miners, increased attention has been paid to radon levels in the indoor environment. Radon and its decay products are invariably present in indoor environments and in some dwellings may reach high concentrations, similar to those found in mines. Radon also appears to have a synergistic effect with cigarette smoking in the development of lung cancer.