Radon is present in a home due to poor ventilation, which can cause other air
quality issues and mould, or the property has a higher radon level than the
property next door.
Radon enters the home usually through cracks and crevices in the Basement and
can affect other areas of the home. It has no odor, no taste and is not
visible. In short, Radon interacts with dust particles in the air and can
make these dust particles radioactive. When inhaled, these dust particles
cause lung cancer.
In Canada, the present 'action level' where Health Canada recommends action
to reduce these levels is 22.0 pCi/L. In the United States as well as most
other countries the 'action level' is at 4.0 pCi/L. This is a sharp
reduction over what Health Canada considers as safe. Canada is currently
looking at reducing the action level to 5.4 pCi/L.
At 4.0 pCi/L a person has the following risk of
developing Lung Cancer.
- 23 people out of 1000 will contract lung cancer due to radon exposure
- It equates to smoking 1/2 pack of cigarettes per day
- It equates to 200 to 300 chest X-Ray's per year
At 22.0 pCi/L a person has the following risk of
developing Lung Cancer.
- 1 out of 3 people will contract lung cancer due to radon exposure
- It equates to smoking 2 packs of cigarettes per day
- It equates to 1000 chest X-Ray's per year
The key with radon is to lower the levels as much as possible below 4.0 pCi/L
as well as increase the ventilation in the home and reduce the dust levels.
Our testing services can show you the radon levels, ventilation rates as well as
airborne dust levels in your home or office. All of our reports will
provide specific recommendations on how to make your home a healthier place to
live.
Call us today at (905) 882-2202 or e-mail us at
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