November is Radon Awareness Month: What You Need to Know About This Silent Killer
Radon is a radioactive gas that is naturally present in the soil and rock. It is invisible, odorless, and tasteless, and it can seep into your home through cracks and gaps in the foundation, walls, windows, and doors.
According to the American Lung Association (ALA) radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and it kills more than 3,000 Canadians every year1. That’s why November is designated as Radon Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of this serious health risk and encourage Canadians to take action to protect themselves and their families.
What Are The Health Effects Of Radon Exposure?
Radon exposure is a long-term health risk that can take years or decades to manifest. When you breathe in radon, it enters your lungs and emits alpha particles, which can damage the DNA of your lung cells and cause mutations that can lead to cancer. The risk of developing lung cancer from radon exposure depends on several factors, such as:
The level of radon in your home
The duration and frequency of your exposure
Your smoking habits and history
Your genetic susceptibility and family history of lung cancer
According to Health Canada, the average indoor radon level in Canada is about 75 becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m3), but it can vary widely depending on the location, construction, and ventilation of your home.
Health Canada recommends that Canadians test their homes for radon and take action to reduce the level if it is above the national guideline of 200 Bq/m3. The higher the radon level and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of lung cancer. For example, a person who lives in a home with a radon level of 800 Bq/m3 and smokes has a 1 in 3 chance of developing lung cancer in their lifetime, compared to a 1 in 20 chance for a non-smoker.
How Can You Test Your Home For Radon?
Testing your home for radon is a crucial step in ensuring the safety of your indoor environment and protecting yourself and your family from the potential health risks associated with radon exposure. Fortunately, conducting a radon test is relatively straightforward, affordable, and accessible to homeowners across the globe.
One option for testing your home for radon is to purchase a do-it-yourself radon test kit. These kits are readily available online, over the phone, or from select local retailers, making them convenient for homeowners seeking to assess their radon levels independently. Radon test kits typically come with detailed instructions for use, as well as all the necessary materials to conduct the test accurately.
The process of using a radon test kit typically involves placing a small device, such as a charcoal canister or alpha-track detector, in the lowest level of your home where you spend a significant amount of time, such as a basement or a ground-floor living area. It's important to position the device in a location where it won't be disturbed and where it can remain in place for an extended period, usually a minimum of three months. This duration allows for an accurate assessment of long-term radon levels in your home, capturing fluctuations that may occur over time.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), it's advisable to conduct radon testing during the winter months when indoor radon levels tend to be higher due to reduced ventilation and increased time spent indoors. By testing during this period, homeowners can obtain a more accurate representation of their year-round radon exposure levels, enabling them to make informed decisions about radon mitigation if necessary.
Once the testing period is complete, homeowners can then send the radon test kit to a certified laboratory for analysis. These laboratories use specialized equipment and protocols to measure radon levels accurately and provide homeowners with a comprehensive report detailing their radon test results. The report typically includes the recorded radon concentration in picocuries per liter (pCi/L), along with any relevant recommendations or guidelines for addressing elevated radon levels.
In addition to do-it-yourself radon test kits, homeowners also have the option of hiring a certified radon measurement professional to conduct the test on their behalf. Radon professionals are trained and equipped to perform radon testing using specialized equipment and methodologies, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the results. While this option may involve an additional cost, it offers peace of mind for homeowners who prefer to entrust the radon testing process to a qualified expert.
How Can You Reduce The Radon Level In Your Home?
If your radon test reveals levels above the national guideline of 200 Becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m³), taking proactive steps to reduce radon levels in your home is crucial to safeguarding your health and well-being. Fortunately, effective radon mitigation strategies are available to homeowners, with certified radon mitigation professionals offering expertise and solutions to mitigate radon gas effectively.
One of the most common and effective radon mitigation techniques is the installation of a radon mitigation system. These systems, often referred to as "radon mitigation systems" or "radon reduction systems," are designed to actively draw radon gas from beneath the foundation of your home and vent it safely to the outdoors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), radon mitigation systems typically consist of a PVC pipe network installed in the basement or crawl space or basement, connected to a radon fan that creates suction and directs the radon gas away from the home.
The installation process for a radon mitigation system is relatively straightforward and can typically be completed in less than a day by a certified radon mitigation professional. The professional will assess your home's unique characteristics, such as its foundation type, layout, and soil composition, to determine the most appropriate placement and design for the mitigation system. Once installed, the system effectively reduces radon levels by more than 80%, significantly lowering the health risks associated with radon exposure.
The cost of installing a radon mitigation system varies depending on factors such as the size, design, and condition of your home, as well as local labor and material costs. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), the average cost of radon mitigation typically ranges from $1,500 to $2,500, although it can be higher for larger homes or more complex installations. While the initial investment may seem significant, the long-term benefits of radon mitigation, including improved indoor air quality and reduced health risks, far outweigh the costs.
In addition to protecting your health, mitigating radon levels in your home can also have financial benefits. According to a study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, homes with lower radon levels tend to sell for higher prices and spend less time on the market compared to homes with elevated radon levels. By investing in radon mitigation, homeowners not only ensure a healthier living environment for themselves and their families but also increase the value and marketability of their property.
What Can You Do To Raise Awareness Of Radon And Support Radon Research?
You can help spread the word about radon and its health effects by sharing your radon test results and mitigation stories with your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. You can also join the 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge, a national initiative that provides free radon test kits to municipalities across Canada to encourage their citizens to test their homes for radon.
You can also support radon research by participating in the Evict Radon campaign, a national research program that aims to understand how radon enters and accumulates in homes and how to prevent it. By testing your home for radon and sharing your data with the researchers, you can contribute to the development of evidence-based solutions and policies to protect Canadians from radon exposure.
Radon is a silent killer that can be lurking in your home without you knowing it. This November, during Radon Awareness Month, take action to test your home for radon and reduce it if it’s high. You can save your life and the lives of your loved ones by taking this simple and effective step. Visit Health Canada’s website for more information on radon gas.