Radon gas tests can help save the lives of Canadian homeowners
Did you know that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer
in non-smokers? It causes 3,200 Canadian deaths each year. Equally shocking is
the fact that this radioactive gas can enter your home, undetected. A silent
killer, radon can seep through cracks and gaps in the foundation floors, walls,
windows, and doors of your property. Radon gas tests are essential to keeping your home free of this
invisible threat. They accurately detect how much of this radioactive gas is
inside your property so you can take the proper precautions. Each year,
hundreds of Canadians depend on AmeriSpec for our professional Radon Testing
service.
November
is Radon Action Month. Established by the
Take Action on Radon
organization, they will again be championing radon awareness across Canada.
It’s an unfortunate truth that many homeowners are completely unaware of the
harmful impact that radon can have on their health and the health of their
families. In response to this knowledge gap,
Take Action on Radon has
been working diligently to ensure that home and commercial property owners know
about the silent danger that radon poses. There has never been a better time to
learn about the invisible threat of radon and what you can do to protect
yourself, your family, and your assets.
What is radon gas?
Radon
is an entirely odourless, colourless, and tasteless radioactive gas. It occurs
naturally due to the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock in Canada. When
radon breaks down in the soil and seeps into the atmosphere, it generally has
no negative effect on society. Inside homes, it’s an immediate health risk to
your family.
It’s
important to note that radon is more prevalent in some Canadian provinces
compared to others.
According to Statistics Canada, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and
parts of British Columbia and Quebec have the highest levels of radon. However,
this isn’t to say radon isn’t present in all provinces or all areas of Canada.
Without radon testing, there is no way to know if a home has radon inside. Even
houses side by side can have different levels of radon.
What is Take Action on Radon doing to help?
Health
Canada funds
Take Action on Radon. The organization raises awareness about
the harmful impacts of radon gas. They actively inform Canadians on the steps required
to properly address radon within homes. This institution has brought together key
players within the radon industry. This includes the Canadian Association of
Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST), CAREX Canada, and the Canadian
Cancer Society.
This
November,
Take Action on Radon’s Radon Action Month is utilizing social
media to remind everybody about the important steps people should take to
ensure their homes remain radon safe. In the meantime, you can visit
their website
to listen in on a previous question-and-answer session from certified radon
specialists. Medical professionals, researchers and radon mitigation
professionals joined together to discuss everything radon related.
Radon gas tests: Know the facts on radon
Radon
seeps through cracks into the basements or lower levels of homes. From here, it
spreads throughout homes via heating and ventilation systems. Pressure level
differences between your home and the outdoor air can draw in harmful radon gas.
Essentially, radon can enter through any part of your home that is in direct contact
with the soil outside. This includes sump pumps, cracked pipes, broken
flooring, or cracks in your home’s foundation. It’s important to remember that
even new homes can experience high levels of radon, not just older homes.
Importantly, a small amount of radon inside
a home isn’t harmful. However, increased levels and subsequent long-term radon
exposure is. An AmeriSpec Radon Test accurately informs homeowners about their
current radon levels, when it’s dangerous, and what they need to do to manage
their own situation.
How common is radon in homes across Canada?
Home
radon concerns have risen over the last 10 years or so. It’s estimated that
close to one in 15 houses have dangerous levels of radon. This causes many
Canadians to become sick and potentially die from long-term radon exposure. It’s
always best to know for certain whether you have dangerous levels of radon
inside your property. For your peace of mind and continued safety, we recommend
booking an AmeriSpec Radon Test at your earliest convenience.
Why are radon gas tests so important?
It’s
important to note that extended radon exposure can seriously harm your lungs.
It deteriorates the lining of your lungs, eventually causing lung cancer. Pairing
radon with indoor tobacco use increases the risk even more. This can seriously
harm your health and even lead to death. Radon is a silent killer, and some
families could become sick without even knowing that they have been exposed to
radon.
Several
side effects of long-term radon exposure include:
- Shortness
of breath
- Ongoing
coughs
- Reduced
appetite
- Repeated
respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia
- Chest
and lung pain
- Difficulty
breathing, even outside the home
- Lung
cancer
When you need a radon gas test, choose the professionals at AmeriSpec
Accurate
radon gas tests can only be achieved by specialized equipment. It’s the only
way to truly test whether there is too much of this radioactive gas inside your
home. AmeriSpec is one of the leading providers of
Radon Testing in Canada. Have your home tested as soon
as possible and address any harmful radon gas levels before it’s too late.
Find
your local inspector, discover
whether they offer Radon Testing, and book your next home visit.