The Health Risks of Radon

An estimated 120 Nova Scotians die per year from radon-related lung cancer – one person every 3 days.

The health risk is a combination of radon levels and time of exposure.

Smokers have a significantly higher risk of lung cancer when exposed to radon.
 

Why test your home?
 

• Home improvement: Radon testing and mitigation adds value to your home and reassure potential buyers.
   

• Cancer prevention: Radon gas affects non-smokers and smokers alike. Radon testing is an investment that helps protect your family and you.

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• Peace of mind: Knowing you are safe from the effects of radon exposure is one less thing to worry about, as there is no way to know without testing. Testing and mitigation are a one time expense for a long term benefit.

Could your home have radon?

A home of any age or type will have radon, the question is how much? You can’t see, smell or taste radon gas, so you may be exposed without knowing. Radon levels can vary dramatically even between similar homes in the same neighbourhood.

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Factors affecting radon levels can include:

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• Soil Geology:  Uranium concentration and permeability – radon will move through sandy soil easier than clay for example.
   

• Construction Type: Home footprint and design affect the area of soil contact and the number of radon entry points.
   

• Foundation Condition: Foundations with numerous openings and cracks have more potential radon entry points.

 

Since there is no real predictor of high radon levels, the only way to know is to TEST.

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