Radon: What is it?
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety says: Radon is an invisible, odourless, radioactive gas. It is formed by the disintegration of radium, which is a decay product of uranium. Radon emits alpha particles and produces several solid radioactive products called radon daughters.
Who has it?
Some amounts of radon gas and radon daughters are present everywhere in the soil, water, and air. Radon is emitted by radium in the ground, groundwater and building materials. It can enter the indoor air where it and its decay products accumulate in poorly ventilated areas. Harmful levels of radon and radon daughters can accumulate in confined air spaces, such as basements and crawl spaces. Every home has it. Some houses have it in higher concentrations than others.
Why should I care?
People exposed to high radon levels have an increased risk of developing lung cancer. The US EPA estimates that 22,000 lung cancer deaths per year are attributable to Radon. That compares with 3000 lung cancer deaths per year that the EPA attributed to second hand smoke. This in a country that has been reducing indoor radon levels for 15 years.
The Canadian Government, Department of Heath has just reduced the acceptable levels by a factor of 4. Remedial measures should be undertaken in a dwelling whenever the average annual radon concentration exceeds 200 Bq/m in the normal occupancy area. National Gazette June 16th 2007.
How do I find out if I have it?
To get your families home tested, contact a NEHA-NRPP tested and certified radon tester, such as Town & Country Home Inspections.
If I have it how do I fix it?
The most proven method to fix a high radon concentration home is to make a simple home improvement repair, usually $1500-$3000 dollars. Installing a soil gas extractor fan and some piping, and sealing obvious cracks in the basement floor and walls.
Mr. Radon is one of a very few companies that has the acreditation to reduce the radon gas levels in your home. For all of your Radon questions ask the experts at www.mr-radon.ca
We Care
As there is currently no certification in Canada for Residential Radon Gas Measurement providers,
Town & Country Home Inspections has gone the extra mile and sent their technicians to be qualified under the National Radon Proficiency Program in the United States.
Upon completion of certification, Town & Country Home Inspections extensively researched available testing systems and selected for their use, the Radalink Telemonitor. They believe it is the most accurate, tamperproof and fastest reporting system available. The Radalink Telemonitor is a continuous monitor that samples the air a couple of minutes every . The report is based on the average of these reads during a 48 hour period.
Call for your appointment now at mobile: 416-837-5144
Internet links for more radon information:
Toronto Public Health:
http://www.toronto.ca/health/radon.htm#1
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/health/radon.html
Health Canada
new guidelines
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/radiation/radon/guidelines_lignes_directrice_e.html
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/radon.html
World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs291/en/index.html
Call for your appointment now at mobile: 416 837 5144
