WHAT ARE THE HEALTH RISKS?
Whatever it is that leads adolescents to begin drinking, once they start they face a number of potential health risks. Although the severe health problems associated with harmful alcohol use are not as common in adolescents as they are in adults, studies show that young people who drink heavily may put themselves at risk for a range of potential health problems. Brain Effects—Scientists currently are examining just how alcohol affects the developing brain, but it’s a difficult task. Subtle changes in the brain may be difficult to detect but still have a significant impact on long-term thinking and memory skills. Add to this the fact that adolescent brains are still maturing, and the study of alcohol’s effects becomes even more complex. Research has shown that animals fed alcohol during this critical developmental stage continue to show long-lasting impairment from alcohol as they age.
Almost all scientists agree that Radon is a health hazard to humans and that it causes lung cancer, however the exact risk calculation and the action level usually raise debate. The EPA has declared Radon to be a “Class A Carcinogen,” which means that it has been shown to cause cancer in humans. Radioactive solid particles are created as the Radon gas decays. These particles can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As the particles break down further, they release small bursts of energy that can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer. Although not everyone exposed to elevated levels of Radon will develop lung cancer, the dangers are significant, and the amount of time between exposure and the onset of disease may be many years—making detecting the cause all that much more difficult.
Almost all scientists agree that radon is a health hazard to humans and that it causes lung cancer. Risk calculation and the action level usually raise debate. The EPA has declared radon to be a “Class A Carcinogen,” which means that it has been shown to cause cancer in humans. Radon gas decays into radioactive solid particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As the particles break down further, they release small bursts of energy that can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer. Not everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon will develop lung cancer. The amount of time between exposure and the onset of disease may be many years. Smoking combined with radon exposure is an especially serious health risk. You can reduce your risk of lung cancer by stopping smoking and lowering the radon level in your home.
