Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. That’s the bad news. The good news is that you can test your home for radon levels and protect yourself and your loved ones from its harmful effects.

Do you know what radon is?

Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the uranium in the ground that can get into your home undetected. You can’t see it, smell it or taste it.

Is radon in your home?

Radon is found naturally in the environment, so all homes have some level of radon. However, if your home has a radon level that is above the Canadian guideline for radon, it is recommended that you take steps to reduce these levels to below 200 Becquerels per cubic metre.

Radon

What are the health risks of radon?

Over 16% of lung cancer deaths are attributed to radon exposure in Nova Scotia. It is estimated that more than 21,000 Canadians will die from lung cancer this year, and more than 3,000 of those deaths are because of exposure to radon indoors. People who smoke and are exposed to elevated levels of radon have a higher risk of developing lung cancer.

How do you test your home for radon?

There are two ways to test the radon levels in your home:

  1. Purchase a do-it-yourself radon test kit at a hardware store or local community health organization; or
  2. Hire a certified radon professional to conduct the test for you.

No matter what option you choose, testing your home is the first step to protecting you and your family from radon. The best time to test for radon in your home is during the fall and winter months when doors and windows are closed.

What do you do if radon levels in your home are high?

If a radon level above 200 Becquerel/metreis detected in your home, contact a certified radon professional to determine the best and most cost-effective solution to reduce the radon in your home. Techniques to lower radon levels are effective and can save lives. A radon mitigation system can be installed in less than a day. In most homes, this system will reduce the radon level by more than 80% for about the same cost as other common home repairs, such as replacing the furnace or air conditioner.