Radon. Is Your Home Causing You Cancer?

The Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST) and CAREX Canada are launching a new  initiative that aims to raise awareness about the cancer risks associated with radon and the importance of homes being tested.

What is Radon?

Radon is a tasteless, odourless and invisible radioactive gas that results from decaying uranium. Uranium is a metal most commonly found in soil, rock and groundwater. It is prevalent in Nova Scotia. This radioactive gas can accumulate in homes in high concentrations. Long term exposure to high levels of radiation can damage DNA in lung tissue and can lead to increased lung cancer risk. Radon Exposure  in the home causes 3200 lung cancer deaths in Canada each year. In order to protect your family and your family’s health, you should have your home professionally tested for radon.

Why should you be concerned?

Radon filters up from the ground and into the air. It can enter buildings through openings where the buildings contact the ground. In the outdoors, radon is diluted to low levels. Inside buildings, however, radon can build up to harmful, concentrated levels. Breathing increased levels of radon increases a person’s chance of developing lung cancer. In fact, Radon is linked to 16% of lung cancer deaths. It is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. It is also the top environmental cause of death over substances like pesticides, asbestos, carbon monoxide and pollutants. With its escalating mortality rate, radon exposure must be found early and handled quickly.

Unfortunately, there are many homeowners who are still unaware of radon and the threat it poses. There are no immediate symptoms that are associated with radon exposure, and its effects are gradual and develop over time. Unlike other home-bound toxins and allergens that can cause health problems, radon can go undetected for years, slowly damaging your lungs over time.

Who is at risk?

 Everyone is at risk for radon inhalation, and any building that has contact with the ground has the potential to have high radon levels, including houses, apartments, schools, daycare's, warehouses and commercial spaces.

How Does Radon Get Into the Home?

In nature, as radon is released from the ground into the air, it dilutes and dissipates. Radon is nine-times denser than air, so it easily settles and becomes trapped in the rooms of your home. In most homes radon moves up through the floor and other openings between the ground and living spaces. It permeates paper, low-density plastic, sheet rock, mortar, paint, concrete blocks, tar paper, untreated wood and most types of insulation. One out of every six homes across North America is affected by radon, regardless of the year it was constructed.

Testing is Easy

The texts should be done for 91 days or more. Radon Devices can be available from the Library however there is a large waiting list.  Radon Professionals can be hired to help test

Heath Canada helped initiate a national certification program call C-NRPP Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program.  Heath Canada has certified professionals in every province of Canada. Measurement professionals test for Radon. Mitigation Professionals reduce radon levels in buildings.

Radon Map Nova Scotia

https://fletcher.novascotia.ca/DNRViewer/?viewer=Radon

(This map takes a minute to load)

Radon Mitigation System

Radon professionals can help you determine the best way to reduce the radon level in your home. To find a certified radon professional in Canada visit the following website: http://c-nrpp.ca/find-a-professional. The average cost to reduce radon levels in the home is $1,500 to $3,000.

 

If you have questions or would like more information on Radon or Radon testing please give Assist 2 Sell a call at 902 446-3113 or email us at HRMOffice@assist2sell.com. We have many resources available to you

For more information visit:   https://c-nrpp.ca/what-is-radon/

Download the PDF: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1GMrTveCtPL3j4vx6Rku_Q3HrFK4031Oj

To find a professional :    https://c-nrpp.ca/find-a-professional/

Where to buy a radon testing kit:  https://takeactiononradon.ca/where-to-buy-radon-test-kits-in-nova-scotia/