He Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) Spanish analyzed radon level in different places in Spain and discovered two hot spots in which lung cancer risk This is a very high figure.
It’s radioactive gas colorless and odorless which is created under the earth’s surface natural decay of uranium found in some stones. It seeps through the floors of buildings and can accumulate in the environment if conditions are not good. ventilation. It facilitates the course of respiratory diseases such as lung cancer. In fact, it is the second cause of this condition after tobacco.
Anyone exposed to high doses of radon can get cancer, although the risk is 25 times higher in smokers. To avoid this, as we have already said, good ventilation is necessary. However, sometimes, no matter how much it is ventilated, the geology of the area makes it particularly difficult to prevent its effects.
Which areas are most affected by radon?
According to CSN research, the region in Spain most affected by radon is Galiciaalthough Valencia has several cities with alarming levels. This Pusol, Gilet, Torrent and Chera. However, in Galicia it is more than that. widespread.
The risk comes from a combination of the geology of the area, which contains a lot of uranium in underground rocks, and the structure of the buildings. The Galician Ministry of Health has already begun work to try to prevent Galician residents from being exposed to the gas, and for this the first step is Find the points where the risk is greatest.
Firstly, the radon level in public placesHow health and educational centers. Instruments will also be made available to the public so that these levels can be measured in companies and private homes.
On the other side, epidemiological monitoringto test whether there are places where a higher proportion of lung cancer patients are concentrated.
Once these particularly hot spots are identified, it will be necessary to strengthen ventilation and mitigation measures. It is impossible to eliminate radon 100%, but it is possible to improve the health of the environment.
Other communities with very radon hot spots are Extremadura, Andalusia, Madrid and Catalonia.
What climate change will bring us
Radon gas is one of the little-known consequences of climate change. And in general, released little by littlebecause uranium in rocks decays. However, when there is a layer of ice on the ground, as is the case with permafrostgas is stored underground.
This is, in principle, positive, but there is a problem. Global warming is causing large amounts of permafrost to melt, so radon gas in these areas will no longer be released slowly. It will suddenly come out, exposing the population to very high levels of radiation.
Arctic Eskimo populationsfor example, are among the most susceptible to this problem. Since smoking itself is a widespread habit among these people, the risk is doubled. Radon accounts for 3% to 14% of lung cancer cases worldwide, but it creates an intense synergy with tobacco so the risk will be guaranteed.
In Spain we do not face the risk of permafrost, but we have already seen it. There are very affected areas. It is important that residents of these areas remember the importance of daily ventilation of their homes. It’s not just about avoiding unpleasant odors and letting in fresh air. This is also a necessary gesture for our health.
Source: Hiper Textual
