Did you know radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers? With November marking Lung Cancer Awareness Month, now is an opportune time to ensure radon is not affecting you and your loved one’s health.
Radon is an odourless, colourless, tasteless radioactive gas that can be present all around us from uranium breakdown in rock and soil. However, sometimes it can be present indoors at unsafe levels. When inhaled, the radon gas particles decay in the lungs, releasing bursts of energy, potentially causing lung cancer.
Radon can enter a home through cracks in the foundation, gaps around service pipes, or other openings between the house and the ground. It can be found in all types of homes, condos included. In condos, unsafe radon levels are most commonly found on the ground floor, however, it can also be found on upper floors.
The only way to know if there are unsafe radon levels in your home is to be proactive and get a testing kit or have a professional test your home. It is recommended to get the long-term test, as levels can fluctuate day-to-day. If you detect unsafe radon levels in your home a radon mitigation system can be installed and typically reduces radon levels by more than 80 percent.
So, give yourself peace of mind, and if you haven’t already, get your home tested for radon.
