Is There Radon Gas In Your Home?
What is Radon Gas?
Radon is a colourless, odorless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the environment. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soils and rocks.
It seeps out of the ground, into basements and moves to other areas of a building or home.
Radon gas can move through small spaces in the soil and rock upon which a house is built. It can seep into a home through dirt floors, cracks in concrete, sumps, joints, basement drains, etc. Concrete-block walls are particularly porous to radon.
How can it affect my family?
Radon decays into radioactive elements known as 'radon progeny' or 'radon daughters'. Radioactive daughters float around in the air attached to dust and to smoke particles. When inhaled, the particles find their way into the bronchial air passages (your lungs) and stick to the surface.
When these particles change (“decay”), they emit a tiny burst of radiation that damage cells inside your lungs. This can increase your chance of developing lung cancer.
Radon is second only to smoking as a cause of lung cancer.
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has found that radon is responsible for over 20,000 deaths per year in the US. Health Canada estimates that over 1,600 Canadians die each year from exposure to radon in their homes.
The effect of radon exposure is long term. It does not make people feel poorly on a day-to-day basis.
How can I find out if there are potentially harmful levels of radon in my home?
Radon gas exists in many areas of Ontario at different levels. Some areas of Ottawa can contain higher than acceptable levels. While one house may have safe levels, the house next door may not. Testing must be performed in order to determine the levels in a particular home.
HomePro Inspections can perform a test for radon in your home. Measurement devices are placed in your home for a period of 2 to 4 days. Results of the test are generally available within 1 week. You will be provided with a report showing the level of radon as well as a recommendation if action is required to correct high levels.
Call today to book an appointment with a NEHA (National Environmental Health Association) Certified Radon Measurement Professional. Please keep in mind that this testing is time sensitive and we will need access to your home 2 to 4 days following the initial appointment to collect the test device.
(613)860-4848