Radon on the radar
You may have been hearing more about radon gas in homes lately – and for good reason. Exposure to radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in smokers and it is also a major cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed when the uranium in soil and rocks breaks down. The 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 the foundation, sump pumps, floor joints, basement drains and gaps around pipes. The amount of radon in a home will depend on many factors such as soil characteristics, type of construction, condition of the foundation and type of ventilation systems used in the home.
Outdoors, radon gas is very diluted and doesn’t pose a health risk. However, in basements or other confined spaces, radon can accumulate to relatively high levels and become a health hazard. Exposure to high levels of radon has been associated with an increased risk of developing lung cancer, depending on the level of radon, your smoking habits and duration of exposure. The only way to know the radon level in your home is to test for the presence of the gas.
For more valuable information about radon, and how to test your home, see Health Canada’s Web site, at http://www.healthcanada.gc.ca/radon. It’s a great resource that can walk you through the necessary steps to take should you want to know whether your home is a radon risk.
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