Do the risks associated with radon exposure differ between adults and children?
Lung size? Respiratory Rates? Proximity to the ground?
A lot of factors may contribute to the exposure children receive from radon gas versus adults. While basements make a great play area for kids, radon is a heavier gas that tends to accumulate in basements and or at the ground floor level. Many home daycare providers tend to convert basements to ‘classroom’ areas where kids learn and play, while daycare centers are usually 1 level ground floor buildings.
This article from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health talks about radon exposures and the correlation to children developing lung cancer. Mentioned in the discussion was that “if a child lived in a home with very high radon concentrations for only a few years, the risk of developing lung cancer later in life could be equivalent to a lifetime exposure to moderate radon concentration”.
If you would like to test your home or home daycare you can visit these links!
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