What is radon and why has it become such a major health problem

Did you know that prolonged exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada after smoking? It is also the second leading cause of cancer in the United States. People are exposed to this gas in the homes in which they live. Radon gas is colorless and has no odor. Radon gas is a silent killer.

So what is radon?

Radon gas is a naturally occurring by-product of the radioactive decay of the element known as uranium, found in soil and rock. This gas contains the radioactive element radon, which is formed as a gas during the cracking of radioactive elements such as uranium and thorium. Radon gas, which is constantly being formed, is transmitted to the air from uranium-bearing rocks and soil. This soil is often found under many homes and other structures. Of course, this can lead to health problems if this gas reaches unacceptable levels when entering the house or other buildings inhabited by people.

Where are unacceptable levels of radon located?

Unacceptable levels of this radioactive gas are very common on the Canadian prairies such as southern Alberta. It is also found in soils and rocks in many other places in Canada. These places include the southern part of Saskatchewan and many parts of British Columbia. Unacceptable levels can be found in southern Ontario, New Brunswick, and northern parts of Canada such as the Yukon and Northwest Territories. There are also many areas in the United States that have high levels of elemental uranium and radium in their soils and rocks. Of course, unacceptable levels of this gas vary between Canada and the United States. This is due to how risk levels are determined. Canada has a higher level of admission.

How does this gas enter your home?

Radioactive gas enters your home from unprotected parts of the basement. This gas can be particularly bad during the winter months. During the winter months, many people in northern climates, such as the Canadian Prairies, leave their windows closed. This allows radioactive elements to build up in a home where there is little airflow between the outdoor and indoor environments.

What can you do to protect your home from this type of radioactivity?

There are a number of things you can do to avoid the health risks caused by radon. Determine if your home is located on soil that contains radioactive elements that could produce unacceptable levels of this radioactive gas in your basement. A test can be done to determine this. You should also consider whether your basement floor can protect you from gas leakage into your home structure.

Best Regards