Introduction to Radon
Radon is well-known to be a toxic gas that can be dangerous to humans. But how much about radon gas, its production, and its harmful side effects are truly understood? The best way to keep yourself and your family safe from exposure to harmful gases, such as radon, especially within the home, is to be educated on how it forms, where you are at most risk, and how to protect against it.
An invisible threat, radon can accumulate quietly. Being an odorless, tasteless, and invisible gas, radon is just about impossible to detect without proper equipment. It can make its way into your home through cracks, gaps, and even spaces around pipes, and you may never even know it is there. Because it can be so harmful, it is especially important to be aware of radon gas emissions in your area and look into getting professional radon testing and mitigation services, if necessary.
Understanding Radon Gas
Radon is a radioactive natural gas that is formed when radium, thorium, and uranium decay in soil, rocks, and groundwater. This causes radon gas to be released into the air, where it generally dissipates quickly and causes little to no harm in its natural environment. However, because radon gas is emitted from the ground, there are often things obstructing its ability to disperse safely, which can lead it to seep into structures like homes, businesses, garages, and more.
This is especially true in certain regions, where the soil is rich in these minerals and can have a higher rate of radon production. Certain Canadian provinces and communities report higher levels of radon in the area, due to natural deposits of minerals throughout the environment. Older communities may be at greater risk, as homes have necessary mitigation systems in place to help address potential radon risks.
Because Canada has strong seasonal changes, with hot summers and cold winters, many residents find themselves spending extended periods of time indoors, in heavily insulated homes and buildings. These enclosed environments, which run artificial heat or cooling, have a high potential for concentrated radon levels. The current guideline for safe radon levels determined by Health Canada is 200 becquerels per cubic metre (200 Bq/m3). Unfortunately, around 1 in every 5 Canadian homes exceeds this risk, and it is important to note that any type of exposure can pose health risks, so it is best to mitigate radon levels to the lowest possible reading whenever possible.
Health Risks Associated With Radon Exposure
Radon gas is radioactive and toxic to humans when inhaled. While someone may not immediately exhibit symptoms of radon exposure, inhalation can increase your risk of developing exposure-related issues. Smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke are at an even higher risk, and those with respiratory issues may be more greatly affected by radon exposure.
Radon gas is linked to lung cancer in Canadians, Americans, and all over the world. It is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and long-term exposure greatly increases the risk of developing radon-induced lung cancer. This can be fatal and is responsible for 3,000 lung cancer deaths in Canada every year. Even short-term exposure can be dangerous, so it is important to be vigilant and mindful if you live in an area that has higher-than-average radon levels.
Testing Your Home For Radon Gas
If you were unaware of the dangers of radon gas, and whether your home has been tested, you are not alone! In Canada, public awareness of radon risks remains low, meaning many homeowners are not properly educated on the dangers of this toxic gas and how to properly assess exposure and mitigate any risks. There is no specific way to tell if your home is at a greater risk than another, as old homes and new homes are at similar exposure risks.
Thankfully, there are simple guidelines you can follow to test your home for radon gas. Health Canada suggests placing radon detectors in the lowest level of the house that is regularly occupied to get the best reading. You can opt for a variety of testing devices and types, from DIY to professional services. Tests come in short-term and long-term kits, which will deliver a reading of radon levels in the dwelling throughout a certain period of time. Short-term kits are best for testing new homes, rentals, or after radon mitigation services to ensure levels are reduced. Long-term kits offer the most accurate reading and can provide a detailed understanding of radon levels in your home throughout the year.
For year-round, real-time readings, you can look into real-time radon gas monitors. Some of these monitors can even connect to your smart device to give you alerts if your radon levels ever reach dangerous levels. However, Health Canada recommends supplementing these with traditional 3-month test kits to ensure readings are accurate.
Radon Mitigation and Prevention
If your test results return with concerning levels of radon, it is important to take action immediately. Thankfully, many qualified professionals are available to help you address radon mitigation and management. Ottawa Radon Pros provides custom radon mitigation services, and can often combine methods to help target various areas where radon may be entering and affecting your home.
The most popular radon removal system is a process known as active sub-slab depressurization, which is used in homes with a poured concrete basement. However, in some cases, it may be as simple as sealing cracks and holes in your walls or encapsulating and sealing your crawl space, which is a common entry point for radon gas. This should always be performed by a professional, but there are many DIY methods you can take if you are on a budget or simply want to prevent radon after testing proves you have no risk at hand.
November is Radon Action Month, which is a great time to get involved and help spread awareness. Test your home, tell your neighbors, and be sure to call the experts at Ottawa Radon Pros for a free consultation for any radon concerns in Stittsville, Kanata, Kemptville, Barrhaven, Manotick, Rockland, Kinburn, and the surrounding communities and villages.