November is designated as Radon Action Month.
What is radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is caused by the breakdown of the uranium found in our soil, rock, or water. When radon releases into our outdoor air, the effects are diluted, and aren’t cause for concern. But if that radon finds it’s way into our homes, it can begin to accumulate to harmful levels.
What effect can radon have? It’s the No. 1 leading cause of lung cancer among non-smoking Canadians. About 16 per cent of all lung cancer deaths in Canada are attributed to radon exposure. A number that can, and should be much lower.
If you’re exposed to high concentrations of radon (levels that exceed 800 Bq/m3 — or becquerels per cubic metre) — your odds of developing lung cancer are as high as one in 20. And if you’re a smoker, the statistics are even worse: one in three.
How does radon get inside?
Sometimes, it’s the things we can’t see that do the most damage. With radon, you can’t see it, or smell it, so the only way to know you have it, is to test for it. While geography plays some part in the radon levels in your area (for example, Saskatchewan and the Yukon report higher concentrations), that doesn’t mean your home in Alberta will be safe. Radon levels can even vary neighbour to neighbour, so if the family next door tested low, your home could still test high.
Radon can get into your home through your windows, pipes, sump pumps, groundwater, or cracks in your foundation. If your home receives water from a private well, that provides another entry point for radon. When you test your home, make sure you have your well tested, too.
Testing and mitigating
Radon will be present in every home; it’s just a matter of how much. Health Canada recommends taking action when levels exceed 200 Bq/m3. Radon levels can vary throughout the year, but are typically higher during the winter months when we keep things more tightly enclosed. By testing now when it’s cooler, you can get a better idea of how much radon you’re being exposed to at home.
There are short-term and long-term tests available which can last three to five days, or up to three months. If you’re serious about testing, I would call in a professional who knows how to properly place the testing units and, if you test high, can help you figure out which steps you need to take to reduce the problem.
Now that it’s November, test your home — it’s easy, and it could save your life. And for the bosses out there, test your offices.
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