Chronic cough - is it asthma or lung cancer?

There are many things that can mimic asthma. 

Last month, I wrote about how Vocal Chord Dysfunction (VCD) can mimic asthma.

When you have a chronic cough, most people assume that you have asthma. But what if it's not asthma? 

What if it's something more serious? 

Have you heard of radon? 

What is Radon?

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can seep into buildings (homes, schools, businesses, churches, etc.)

People hear the phrase "colorless, odorless gas" and think of carbon monoxide. That is another dangerous gas - and it can kill you quickly. 

Radon is radioactive. And our bodies do NOT like radiation. In fact, radon is linked with lung cancer - and it can kill you slowly.

Radon is the #2 cause of lung cancer in the U.S. 

That means you can get lung cancer...... even if you have never smoked.  

Where does radon come from?

The Environmental Protection Agency says, 

'Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe." 

It usually moves through the ground and into the air, where it can get into your home through cracks in the foundation or holes around pipes that enter the home. 

Your home "sucks in" like a vacuum, which can suck radon into the house from the surrounding rocks and soil.

Once it's in your house, it can be easily trapped. And then you can breathe in the colorless, odorless and radioactive gas. 

   How common is radon? 

Nationwide, it's found in 1 out of every 15 homes. 

In my state, 1 out of every 3 homes has an elevated radon level. 

You can have elevated radon levels in old or new houses. Radon is an equal opportunity menace.

How do you know if your house has radon?

The only way to know is to test your home. There are several options for this. 

1. A Short term test kit 

I bought a short term test kit from my local health department. Some state's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will also offer low cost test kits (around $11)

Or you can order from a radon testing company, but may pay a little bit more. I have used this test kit before

You test your home for 3-7 days and ship the test kit to the lab. The lab analysis and shipping are included in the cost 

2. A Long Term Test Kit

This stays in the home for 3 months or up to a year. You can order it on the same website. 

3. Continuous Radon Monitor 

Check with your health department or state DEQ to see if they have a list of people who are certified to test for radon. They can use a Continuous Radon Monitor (CRM) and get test results in 48 hours. There are some health departments who also will let you check out a CRM for a small fee.

What if your level if elevated?

First, don't panic! 

The homes I purchased a few years ago had an elevated radon level. We contacted a certified contractor to install a radon mitigation system. 

Radon mitigation systems vary in price, but in my state, they run between $1200 and $1500.

Check with your state Radon Program to find a list of mitigators for your state. 

You want this done right!

To learn how radon mitigation systems work, read more on Page 9 of this brochure. 

Always re-test after your home is fixed. Sometimes, the contractor needs to come back and adjust your system (add a bigger fan, etc.) 

If you have questions, leave a comment on the blog and I can help you. I coordinated my county's radon program for 13 years. 

Here are a couple of handy brochures about radon:

A Citizen's Guide to Radon: The Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family From Radon  

and  

Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction: How to Fix Your Home