Radon in Eastern Ontario
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that exists, at some level, in all homes in Ontario. It is colourless odourless and typically seeps into our home through the basement. Due to our geology and amount of time we spend inside in winter, Canada has a high risk of Radon in homes.
In this CTV news report a former resident of Ottawa was diagnosed with lung cancer but never smoked. The couple had their former Ottawa home tested and discovered there were 30 times the World Health Organization limit for Radon gas. Health Canada are looking to raise awareness of the risks of Radon in family homes and encouraging homeowners to measure the Radon levels in their home.
See the full report.
Radon awareness report
Here are some things to consider:
- Radon is present in all Ontario homes at some level
- High levels of Radon are the 2nd largest cause of lung cancer behind smoking
- Radon is a colourless and odourless gas but can be detected relatively easily with correct equipment.
- Winter is the best time to test
- Once detected, Radon levels can be reduced to acceptable levels using Radon mitigation
Radon Testing
The easiest and cheapest way to test for Radon is using a Long Term Alpha Track Detector. These look like a hockey puck and can be bought at hardware stores for a low cost. They require 90 days in your home to collect sufficient data, then are sent off to a lab in the US for analysis. A very effective way to get a gauge on the Radon level in your home and best carried out over the winter months.
Radon Mitigation
If Radon levels are detected above the recommended limits it is imperative that you contact a expert. Various types of mitigation strategy can be used based on your specific circumstances.
Conclusion
Health Canada recommends that all homeowners test their homes for Radon. Now is a good time, with sufficient winter months remaining.
If you do discover high levels of Radon contact us immediately and we can help you resolve the problem.
