No immediate symptoms. Based on an updated Assessment of Risk for Radon in Homes, radon in indoor air is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. Smokers are at higher risk of developing Radon-induced lung cancer. Lung cancer is the only health effect which has been definitively linked with radon exposure. Lung cancer would usually occur years (5-25) after exposure.

Long-term exposure to elevated Radon concentrations increases the risk of developing lung cancer. The magnitude of the risk depends on the Radon concentration present and the duration of the exposure. Back to the Top According to current scientific knowledge, there is no other health effect associated with exposure to radon gas. Back to the Top Yes.

The Surgeon General has warned that Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US. Only smoking causes more cases of lung cancer. Smokers exposed to elevated Radon levels have a much higher risk of lung cancer. Radon exposure does not cause any short-term health effects such as shortness of breath, headaches, respiratory illnesses, coughing or headaches. Water with high levels of radon may also pose a risk.

Secondhand smoke exposure is a known risk factor for lung cancer. Approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths occur each year among adult non-smokers in the United States as a result of exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is also linked to nasal sinus cancer. Some research suggests an association between secondhand smoke and cancers of the cervix, breast, and bladder. However, more research is needed in order to confirm a link to these cancers.

Yes, the malnourishment and purging associated with Anorexia often cause other significant health problems. People with Anorexia are often diagnosed with anemia, cardiovascular (heart and blood circulation) problems such as hypotension (low blood pressure) and irregular heart beat (arrhythmia), tooth decay from repeated vomiting, poor kidney functioning, and osteoporosis (a decrease in the size and strength of bone).

There are three exposure routes for asbestos fibers: (1) inhalation via the respiratory system (2) ingestion via the mouth associated with asbestos fibers in drinking water and (3) skin contact. Asbestos has been known to cause a number of disabling and fatal diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma and pleural plaques. There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos; therefore, all exposure to asbestos should be avoided.

In order to be exposed to PAHs at the school, you must come into direct contact with the contaminated soil (for example, touching the soil, eating soil particles on hands or food, or breathing airborne soil particles). Several PAHs have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals and in people after long periods of exposure at high levels. Studies in animals have also shown that PAHs can cause harmful effects on skin, body fluids, and the immune system.

We are exposed to mould and mould spores throughout our day in our natural environment. This does not mean that if you find mould that you should not take basic precautions such as gloves and a mask, but the concern is greater for people with compromised or suppressed immune systems where exposure can lead to problems with allergic reactions or infection. The type and concentration of mould and the method of exposure will have an effect.

Call the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or visit the EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water web site.

Molds can cause many health ailments. The most common symptom associated with exposure to elevated levels of fungal spores or mold is Allergies. Other symptoms are; asthma, edema, bronchiospasms, pulmonary emphysema, candida vaginitis, thrush, infections in the human skin, nails, eyes, nose, sinuses, tongue, throat, esophagus, and the entire digestive tract and fungal related ear infections. Molds can also be acutely toxic to the liver, brain, kidneys, lungs and heart.

The answer to this question is the subject of ongoing scientific and policy debate. We do know very high levels of dioxin in blood (hundreds to thousands of times higher than people normally experience) increase the likelihood of developing chloracne, a temporary skin condition which can be severe in some cases. Scientists convened by WHO reviewed the animal toxicity data on dioxin in a recent report (Food Additives Contam., 17: 223-240, 2000).

Some symptoms might include a runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and respiratory complaints. Symptoms often resemble those of allergies and asthma.

Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. These particles release bursts of energy that can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer. EPA estimates about 14,000 deaths per year in the United States; but this number could range from 7,000 to 30,000 deaths per year. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

Few options for some kinds of dental care (smokers can be poor candidates for particular treatments such as implants)

sufficient doses, perchlorate disrupts normal function of the thyroid gland. It interferes with iodide transport into the thyroid gland, decreasing the availability of iodide needed for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, which are essential for metabolism and normal growth and development. The impacts of disrupting thyroid hormone synthesis are greatest on pregnant women and their developing fetuses, infants, children, and individuals who have low levels of thyroid hormones.

The information that exists on ricin poisoning in humans is extremely limited. Much of what we know about ricin poisoning comes from animal studies and only a few human cases. However, enough information exists on ricin poisoning by ingestion (swallowing) to say that it is extremely unlikely that the onset of signs and symptoms of ricin poisoning by ingestion would occur more than 10 hours after exposure.

Yes. All countries have small, but not significant, percentages of their national housing stock with elevated indoor radon levels, and Ireland is no exception. Back to the Top

Absolutely. There is a growing body of well-conducted, validated scientific research demonstrating that the production of the activated form of vitamin D is one of the most effective ways the body controls abnormal cell growth. Moderate exposure to sunlight is the only way for the body to manufacture the vitamin D necessary for producing activated vitamin D.

We already have a wealth of scientific data on the relationship between radon exposure and the development of lung cancer. The scientific experts agree that the occupational miner data is a very solid base from which to estimate risk of lung cancer deaths annually. While residential radon epidemiology studies will improve what we know about radon, they will not supersede the occupational data.