Radon is a radioactive gas formed by the natural decay of uranium in rock, soil and water
It’s colorless, odorless, tasteless, and chemically inert. There’s no way of telling if it is present, or how much is present, unless you specifically test for it. So why is this invisible gas a safety concern? Because according to studies, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the country. It actually doubles the risk of getting lung cancer in someone who smokes cigarettes.
Extremely small quantities of uranium occur widely in many types of rock and soil, and radon is found in all provinces. The real risk from radon is derived from its products of natural radioactive decay, as damaging, ionizing radiation in the form of alpha particles and other “daughter products” can be emitted.
The term “radon” usually is used in its broadest sense, referring to the gas itself and its decay products.
Radon exposure is typically an indoor air problem. Radon and other gases in the rock or soil below a building rise and eventually force themselves into the building through extremely small cracks and pores in the foundation, floors, or walls.
Once inside, the gases are trapped and can become concentrated, eventually reaching hazardous levels.
The areas of greatest risk of exposure are basements, unvented crawl spaces, and small confined spaces on the lower floors of a house or commercial building. These areas are closest to the source of the radon (the soil or rock) and may not be well ventilated.
Adverse Health Effects
The alpha particles and other daughter products that are formed when radon decays can be inhaled and become trapped in your lungs. As these particles decay even further, harmful ionizing radiation is released that can damage lung tissue and possibly lead to lung cancer. However, not everyone who is exposed to radon will develop cancer.
There are no immediate observable short-term effects of radon exposure, such as coughing, shortness of breath, or mouth and throat irritation. Radon can only be detected by testing.
If you smoke cigarettes and are exposed to radon gas, your risk of developing lung cancer is especially high. But if you quit smoking and lower your potential exposure to radon, you can significantly reduce your cancer risk.
Testing for Radon
Radon can only be detected through testing. Many major hardware stores also carry test kits.
The one-time test kits are easy to use. Most are opened and left on the building’s lowest lived-in level for 2 to 90 days, depending on the device, and then the exposed kit is returned to a specified laboratory for analysis. The results will be mailed directly to you. But, if you don’t feel comfortable conducting your own radon tests, many qualified professionals will conduct tests for a fee. Contact your state radon office or state air quality control program for more information about licensed testing companies.
If elevated or potentially hazardous radon levels are detected, there are many mitigation measures that can be taken to reduce exposure. The exact methods used will depend on the level of the gas and the design of the building. Some techniques are directed toward preventing radon from entering a building in the first place. Others are designed to reduce the concentration of radon once it’s in a structure by ventilation.
Many provinces certify or license radon contractors. For more information, contact https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/environment-public-health-and-safety/environmental-health/radon-gas-in-your-home