What is Radon?
Radon and Lung Cancer: Understanding the Health Risks
Long-term exposure to radon gas is a serious health concern and a leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter homes through cracks, openings and other pathways where the building contacts the ground. Because radon is colourless, odourless and tasteless, radon testing is the only way to know the radon level in your home.
How Does Radon Cause Lung Cancer?
When radon gas breaks down, it produces radioactive particles that can be inhaled into the lungs. With long-term exposure, these particles can damage lung tissue and increase a person's risk of developing lung cancer.
Large population studies conducted in North America, Europe and China have demonstrated a relationship between long-term radon exposure and lung cancer risk. Research has found that the relative risk of lung cancer increases by approximately 16% for every additional 100 Bq/m³ of long-term radon exposure.
This is important because radon risk increases with both the concentration of radon in your home and the amount of time you are exposed. There is no known completely risk-free level of radon exposure, which is why reducing elevated radon levels can help lower long-term exposure.
Radon Levels in Canadian Homes
Radon can be found in homes throughout Canada, including Calgary and communities across Alberta. The amount of radon can vary significantly from one property to another, meaning a neighbour's radon test cannot tell you the radon level inside your own home.
Canadian radon research has identified homes with levels capable of producing substantial long-term radiation exposure. This reinforces the importance of testing rather than assuming a home has low radon based on its age, construction style or location.
When Should You Take Action?
Health Canada recommends taking corrective action when the long-term radon concentration in a home exceeds 200 Bq/m³. However, because the health risk associated with radon increases with long-term exposure, reducing radon concentrations below this guideline can further reduce exposure.
If testing identifies elevated levels, a professionally designed radon mitigation system can significantly reduce the amount of radon entering the home.
Radon Testing and Mitigation in Calgary
The only way to know your home's radon level is to test. If elevated radon is found, Safe Home Radon Solutions provides professional radon testing and radon mitigation services in Calgary and surrounding Alberta communities.
Our goal is simple: identify the radon problem, determine the appropriate mitigation solution and reduce long-term radon exposure inside your home.
Concerned about radon in your home? Contact Safe Home Radon Solutions to learn more about radon testing or request a radon mitigation estimate.
What is my average radon level?
The only way to determine if your home has elevated radon levels is through testing. Best time to test is between October - April.
World Health Organization - Max 100 Bq/m3
United States - Max 150 Bq/m3
Canada - Max 200Bq/m3
Radon Levels in Alberta and Prairie Canada Are Among the Highest in the World
Radon is a serious concern for homeowners across Calgary, Alberta, and the Canadian Prairies. Research from the Evict Radon National Study shows that Prairie Canada has some of the highest average residential radon levels in the world.
In the comparison shown, Prairie Canada had an average residential radon level of approximately 108 Bq/m³, ranking second among the regions included in the study. Northern Canada ranked third at approximately 101 Bq/m³, while several other Canadian regions also ranked among the highest areas studied.
For homeowners in Calgary and Southern Alberta, this is an important reminder that radon isn’t limited to a particular neighbourhood, age of home, or style of construction. Radon is an invisible, odourless radioactive gas that can accumulate inside homes, and testing is the only way to know your home’s radon level.
At Safe Home Radon Solutions Inc., we provide professional radon testing and radon mitigation in Calgary and surrounding Southern Alberta communities. If your home has elevated radon levels, a professionally designed radon mitigation system can significantly reduce the amount of radon entering your home.
Image source: Evict Radon National Study — evictradon.org
Protecting Your Health
To minimize the health risks associated with radon:
Test your home for radon, especially if it has never been tested, during real estate transactions, or after renovations.
Seal cracks and openings in your home's foundation to reduce radon entry
If radon levels are elevated, consult a professional to install a mitigation system.
Avoid smoking indoors, as it significantly increases the risk of lung cancer from radon exposure.