Over the years, Canadians have been exposed to more and more information and valuable facts on radon gas, but is it as much a concern as it’s made out to be? Our answer…
Absolutely.
Radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers in Canada, with radon-related cancers leading to over 3300 deaths per year in our country.
And the most devastating fact surrounding this is the fact that they are entirely PREVENTABLE.
Long-term exposure to high levels of radon gas drastically increases our chances of getting radon-induced lung cancer. These cancer diagnoses contribute to more deaths per year than car accidents, carbon monoxide, and deaths from house fires per year combined.
We are aware of people asking, “If radon is such a big concern, why are we only hearing about it now?”
The same can be said for any health concern that once was a non-issue until further scientific and health research confirms its dangers to humans.
This is what has happened with radon gas research.
With our very own radon research organization Evict Radon at the University of Calgary, Calgary has become a hub of cutting-edge research on the long-term health effects of radon gas.
We have medical doctors, scientists and researchers providing us with evidence-backed information that proves the dangers of radon. Exposing our bodies to high levels of radon gas is becoming a real concern in Canada, particularly in the Western Canadian Prairie provinces.
Alberta and Saskatchewan sit on a hotbed of Uranium deposits, making this area's residents the 2nd most radon exposed population on the planet, only next to Poland. This concern is particularly important for parents of young children as exposure to high levels of radon gas at a young age can cause a lifetime of damage in their developing and multiplying lung cells.
Identifying high levels of radon gas in your home and fixing the problem should be a main objective in home ownership for you and your family. Even your pets can be negatively affected by radon gas exposure for the same reason that young children are at higher risk; their fast respiratory levels and proximity to the ground adds to their risk factors within the household.
Radon testing in your home in Calgary is simple, inexpensive and life-saving.
Protecting your family members is easy: visiting our website, purchasing your radon test kit, and following placement instructions (read about those here).
Once you get your results, you can decide on what an actionable level is within your household and if you require a radon mitigation system.
Health Canada sets a maximum allowable action level of 200 Bq/m3 with a suggestion of lower levels being best for your health. The EPA in the united states suggests acting at around 150 Bq/m3.
In comparison, the World Health Organization suggests acting where science dictates the risks drastically increase at 100 Bq/m3. The decision to act is entirely in your hands. It will rely on various factors such as family health conditions, pre-existing concerns making you more susceptible to lung damage, i.e. fume inhalation in your work, family commitments to health preservation, radiation sensitivity, children/pets in the household, etc.
Great-West Radon is a "One Stop Shop" for all your Radon related needs. We provide detail-oriented, honest, and reliable radon testing in Calgary by using state-of-the-art tools and technology. From radon mitigation to radon removal, we are the top-rated Radon services company in Calgary, and we are proud of the work we do and the relationships we've created with our clients. We only use the best materials and equipment, ensuring all guidelines set out by the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program and Health Canada are being met. If you require radon testing, mitigation, removal, or a radon test kit in Calgary, Great Radon West has you covered.