What is Radon
Radon is a gas formed by the breakdown of uranium, a natural radioactive material found in all soil and rock. You cannot see, smell or taste it. When Radon escapes from the ground into outdoor air, it is diluted into low concentrations and is of no concern. However, when radon enters a home or any enclosed building, it can accumulate to higher levels and become a health hazard.
Potential Health Hazards
As radon breaks down, it forms radioactive particles that can become lodged into your lung tissues as you breath, releasing ionizing energy that can damage lung cells. When lung cells are damaged, they have the potential to result in cancer. Not everyone exposed to Radon will develop cancer.
Radon In Your Home
Radon can enter your home in a number of ways, but the main route is through pressure differential. For most of the year, the air pressure inside your home is lower than the pressure in the soil surrounding your home. This pressure differential can cause soil gas, including radon, to be drawn into your home. This can happen anywhere the foundation comes into contact with the soil where a passageway exists. These passageways can be present in any home including new and well-built homes.
Preventing and Removing Radon Contamination
There are numerous ways in which radon can be removed from your home: sealing main passageways, adding ventilation points and Active Soil Depressurization. After a proper investigation and analysis, our Certified Mitigation Professionals can determine the best option of mitigation for your home.
Don't Just Take Our Word For It!
Much more detailed and technical information about radon can be found from authoritative and stakeholder sources:
Health Canada
Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST)
Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP)
Take Action on Radon