November: The perfect time to test homes for radon
As the cold weather sets in, people shut their windows to keep their homes warm. Closed windows mean less ventilation, which can lead to higher radon concentrations. How can you prevent this from happening in your home? By knowing the risks associated with radon and how to reduce them.
With the rise of telework, Quebecers are spending more time at home. That’s why CAA-Quebec is recommending that you learn more about radon this month and do a radon test in your home.
What is radon?
Radon is an odourless, colourless, radioactive gas that comes from the ground. It’s produced by the natural decay of uranium (radium) in the earth’s crust. Radon is harmless outdoors because it is diluted in the open air, but it can become hazardous in higher concentrations if it accumulates in a closed environment.
“So you should be especially wary of radon if you have an office, family room, or bedroom in the basement. Since radon is heavier than air, it tends to build up close to the ground.”– Alain Paquette, housing and construction consultant
Do I need to worry about radon?
Health Canada data shows that the risk of developing lung cancer for a smoker exposed to high concentrations of radon throughout their life is as a high as 33%, compared to 5% for a non-smoker. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. About 16% of lung cancer deaths are linked to radon exposure.
But no need to panic. There is a real risk of lung cancer if a smoker is exposed to high levels of radon for more than four hours a day in an enclosed space. However, many years can pass between radon exposure and disease onset.
Have your house tested
Sales of our dosimeters (screening tests) have been on the rise since 2020. CAA-Quebec encourages homeowners who have not yet had their homes tested to do so now. It isn’t complicated or costly. Simply get a dosimeter (available on our online store and in all CAA-Quebec Travel Centres), install it in an appropriate spot in your home (following manufacturer instructions) for between 3 and 12 months, then send it to the lab for analysis.
Radon testing: good to know
Radon levels are expressed in becquerels per cubic metre of air (Bq/m³). In Canada, there is no standard for allowable radon levels in houses. But according to a 2007 Health Canada guideline, mitigation measures must be implemented if average annual radon levels in occupied areas of a house exceed 200 Bq/m³.
Learn more about radon
The “Radon” section of Your Healthy Home Guide includes information on acceptable radon levels, testing methods, and do-it-yourself ways to reduce radon levels.