We are going to have a home inspection done on our first home and we were thinking of skipping the radon test because the basement is not really livable. At the most we would be using it for storage so we are not planning to spend much time at all down there.
However, we were thinking of putting our cat's litter box in the basement. Then I wondered if radon could affect my cat like it would in humans? I know radon can cause lung cancer and do not wish for that to happen to my cat. Does anyone know if it will affect animals the same as people?
2007-07-19 09:53:50 · 5 answers · asked by Val 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Radon is worse for humans than most animals. Since we live so very much longer, we have a longer period of time to accumulate exposure, and thus a greater lifetime likelihood of developing cancer than most other animals. (Cheetah the chimp from the Tarzan movies is being a counterexample -- he's living as long as a human being!)
From your basement, the radon gas goes... where? Unless your basement is separately vented, some of it is going to go up into your house. Get the test done, so you'll know where you need to have vents, and whether you should seal things up better.
I'm not too worried about your cat. I'm more worried about you and your husband and your kids.
2007-07-19 10:01:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Radon can be a nasty thing. I am sure if you have it in your basement it would affect your cat, maybe sooner than a human since they are smaller and wouldn't need as much exposure for it to be harmful. And just because you aren't living in/using your basement doesn't mean you can't be exposed to radon. If its in your house its in your house.
2007-07-19 09:59:21 · answer #2 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Radon may cause cancer if you breathe it in over a long period of time or short, it depends .... I think you should get the test if you do want the litter box down there and if it is used for storage.....
PS I like your name!
2007-07-19 09:58:31 · answer #3 · answered by Oh la la! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Humans are animals. Radon will cause health problems in any mammal.
2007-07-19 09:58:33 · answer #4 · answered by lithiumdeuteride 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd think so. A cat's respiratory system is the same as ours, so foreign gases are going to be just as harmful, if not more so because of their smaller size.
2007-07-19 09:58:13 · answer #5 · answered by Dan Theman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋