Many people in Canada are not aware that their homes could contain radon gas. Radon is one of the radioactive gases.
You can’t observe it using your senses. However, if the gas accumulates in your house, it may be hazardous to your health.
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What Is Radon and Why Is It Dangerous?
Radon develops when small amounts of uranium in soil and rocks disintegrate. Water can enter your house through small crevices in the foundation. If you are exposed to radon for a long time, your lungs can be damaged. Plus, you may be more likely to get lung cancer.
Health Canada states that radon causes just as many cases of lung cancer as smoking does. However, it comes second to smoking. Radon is more common in homes with basements or constructed on soil high in uranium. You need to test your home to determine if it contains radon.
Who Should Be Concerned?
All homeowners in Canada, especially those who live in high-radon regions, should take necessary steps. Canadian provinces regularly see the highest radon levels. Fortunately, radon testing Calgary services can help to check your home to see if it has any issues.
Whether your home is new or old, it can still have radon problems. Even updated homes or those carefully sealed may still have unsafe radon levels. Your home’s soil mainly influences it.
How Does Radon Get Inside?
Radon can enter your home through small cracks and openings. You may also find cracks in floors and walls, spaces around pipes, and seams left from construction. Sometimes, it can end up in the water supply at very low levels.
Once indoors, radon can be trapped and accumulate over the years. Lack of fresh air worsens the problem. So, basements that lack good air circulation tend to have more of these problems.
How to Test for Radon?
Testing is easy and affordable. Both online and local hardware stores sell radon test kits. Place the detector in the basement and keep it there for 91 days or longer.
Once the testing process ends, send the kit to the lab to be analyzed. The report will display the average radon content in your home. If the reading is above 200 Bq/m³, Health Canada recommends solving the problem.
Warning Signs of a Radon Problem
Radon exposure usually has no noticeable symptoms until it becomes severe. This is where testing plays a vital role. Through testing, you can identify the following signs:
- A persistent cough without an obvious reason is present in you or a family member.
- The house you plan to buy has a basement or crawl space.
- The area where you live is commonly known for having high radon levels.
In conclusion, test for radon to ensure your home stays safe and healthy. It is important to test regularly. This is because the effects of radon take a long time to appear. Testing and addressing issues early will not just help keep your family safe. It will also provide your home with better air quality.