Radon - Danger in our homes? And what to do about it:
Test Your Home for Radon
Radon is a gas that is produced naturally by the breakdown of uranium in the ground and can get into your home undetected. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. In confined spaces like a house, radon can build up to high levels and over time become a health risk.
Almost every home in Canada has some radon, but concentrations vary from one house to another, even if they are next door to each other. The amount of radon in your home will depend on factors like the amount of uranium in the ground, the pathways available into your home (such as cracks in the foundation, crawl spaces and sump holes) as well as how your home is ventilated.
What Are The Health Effects?
Radon exposure increases your risk of developing lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
The risk of cancer depends on the level of radon in your house, how long you are exposed and whether you smoke. Exposure to radon and tobacco use together can significantly increase your risk of lung cancer.
How Do I Know if I Have a Problem?
The ONLY way to know if you have a radon problem is to test your home. It is simple and inexpensive. Health Canada recommends using a long-term test device for a minimum of three months. The best time to test is between September and April when your windows are mostly closed.
Radon test devices are available from some home improvement retailers or can be ordered by phone or over the Internet. Radon testing can also be performed by a trained service provider.
What Can I Do?
If the radon level in your home is above the Canadian guideline of 200 becquerels/metre3, you need to fix it. The higher the radon level in your home, the sooner it needs to be fixed.
If your home tests above the guideline, here are some ways to reduce the level of radon:
- Increase the ventilation to allow an exchange of air.
- Seal all cracks and openings in foundation walls and floors, and around pipes and drains.
- Renovate existing basement floors, particularly earth floors.
INSTALL
Test Your Home for Radon
Radon is a gas that is produced naturally by the breakdown of uranium in the ground and can get into your home undetected. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. In confined spaces like a house, radon can build up to high levels and over time become a health risk.
Almost every home in Canada has some radon, but concentrations vary from one house to another, even if they are next door to each other. The amount of radon in your home will depend on factors like the amount of uranium in the ground, the pathways available into your home (such as cracks in the foundation, crawl spaces and sump holes) as well as how your home is ventilated.
What Are The Health Effects?
Radon exposure increases your risk of developing lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
The risk of cancer depends on the level of radon in your house, how long you are exposed and whether you smoke. Exposure to radon and tobacco use together can significantly increase your risk of lung cancer.
How Do I Know if I Have a Problem?
The ONLY way to know if you have a radon problem is to test your home. It is simple and inexpensive. Health Canada recommends using a long-term test device for a minimum of three months. The best time to test is between September and April when your windows are mostly closed.
Radon test devices are available from some home improvement retailers or can be ordered by phone or over the Internet. Radon testing can also be performed by a trained service provider.
What Can I Do?
If the radon level in your home is above the Canadian guideline of 200 becquerels/metre3, you need to fix it. The higher the radon level in your home, the sooner it needs to be fixed.
If your home tests above the guideline, here are some ways to reduce the level of radon:
- Increase the ventilation to allow an exchange of air.
- Seal all cracks and openings in foundation walls and floors, and around pipes and drains.
- Renovate existing basement floors, particularly earth floors.
INSTALL A HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATION SYSTEM
