Radon is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas that can pose a serious threat to the health of Canadians, especially within their homes. It forms naturally from the decay of uranium found in soil, rock, and water, and can seep into homes through cracks in foundations, spaces around pipes, and other gaps and openings near windows, doors, and exterior walls. While radon exists everywhere, it becomes dangerous to humans and animals when it accumulates at high levels, usually in indoor environments.
In Canada, the issue of radon is significant, as certain regions have higher radon potential due to the country’s unique geological makeup. Given that the average Canadian spends approximately 90% of their time indoors, radon testing is a crucial step in safeguarding health and well-being.
Because radon can affect you, your family, and your home, it can be a great cause of concern for homeowners in Canada . Radon testing, management, and maintenance services can help you understand radon levels in your home, especially if you are planning renovations or moving homes.
Health Risks Associated with Radon Exposure
The primary reason radon testing is so important is its connection to serious health risks, particularly lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, following smoking, and is responsible for approximately 16% of lung cancer deaths in Canada each year. According to Health Canada, an estimated 3,200 Canadians die annually from radon-induced lung cancer. The risk is even greater for smokers, as the combined effects of smoking and radon exposure dramatically increase the likelihood of developing the disease.
Radon gas emits radioactive particles, which can damage the lining of the lungs when inhaled. Over time, prolonged exposure to high levels of radon can lead to the development of cancerous cells. Unlike other environmental hazards and toxic gasses, radon exposure can be nearly impossible to detect, as symptoms often don’t develop immediately. Because of this, people can often live for years in homes with dangerous levels of radon without ever being aware of the danger. This delayed effect is why many professionals like Ottawa Radon Pros highly recommend performing radon testing before major events like moving into a new home or performing renovations. If you have never had your home tested for radon, you can look into professional services or at-home test options to get started.
Radon Levels in Canadian Homes
Canada’s geographical diversity means that radon levels can vary significantly across different regions. While no area is completely immune, certain parts of the country, particularly in the Prairies and Atlantic provinces, have been identified as having a higher likelihood of elevated radon levels. Approximately 7% of homes in Canada are estimated to have radon levels that are higher than the safety guideline set by Health Canada, which is 200 Bq/m³ (becquerels per cubic meter of air).
Even within a small community or neighborhood, radon levels can vary from one home to the next due to differences in construction methods, foundation integrity, soil composition, and more. Because you can never truly know how high the radon levels are in a particular path of earth, it is important to individually test your home to be sure of the radon concentration inside.
How Radon Testing Works
Testing for radon is a relatively simple process, and can prove to be a worthy investment when compared to the potential health costs of radon exposure. Radon test kits are available in a variety of locations, including hardware stores, online, or directly through a professional. These kits can be administered yourself by following the instructions on the packet or by calling a professional team to install them. You can also contact a team like Ottawa Radon Pros who can perform radon testing using tools only available to professionals.
Radon test kits come in two forms, short-term testing and long-term testing. There are also continuous radon monitors available.
Short-Term Tests
These tests, as the name suggests, are performed for a short period to help give a quick insight into radon levels. These tests are performed on the lowest level of the home for 2-7 days to give a quick snapshot of radon levels. This is a great test to perform before moving into a new home or in areas like basements and garages before you decide to do any construction or renovations. However, short-term tests do not give a fully accurate read, as they do not account for weather or ventilation changes that can affect radon levels or cause them to fluctuate.
Long-Term Tests
These tests are conducted anywhere from three months to one year and will provide a more accurate measurement of radon levels in the home. They should be placed in the most commonly used room of the house on the lowest level, and once analyzed, can provide a detailed report on radon levels detected.
Continuous Radon Monitors
A continuous radon monitor can be installed in your home and will detect and provide a radon reading in real time, similar to a carbon monoxide detector or thermostat. This is a great way to provide peace of mind and get a short-term and long-term radon reading that will help you detect any changes immediately so you can mitigate any concerns, if necessary.
Calling the Professionals for Radon Testing
Radon testing is an essential step in protecting the health and safety of Canadian families. Given the serious health risks associated with prolonged radon exposure, homeowners should always take the initiative to test their homes, especially in high-risk areas. Thanks to campaigns led by Health Canada, the Canadian Lung Association, and other organizations, public awareness of radon risks has been growing and professional services are more widely available to help test, mitigate, and manage any radon concerns.
With radon being a silent and invisible threat, seeking professional assistance is recommended to ensure you catch any issues early on. If there is a radon issue in your home, you can count on experts to help you understand the best course of action to reduce exposure to you and your family, and successfully mitigate it to increase air quality and safety.
The team at Ottawa Radon Pros offers a variety of radon testing services, as well as mitigation and management and post-mitigation testing to ensure any issues are corrected. Call us today to get a free consultation.