Radon: Have you tested your home?

Indoor RadonTesting & Mitigation

developing a radon mitigation strategyIf you have completed a home radon test andyour level is above 200 Bq/m3 it’s important totake action. Active Sub-slab Depressurization is a proven system for home radon mitigation.

What is Active Sub-slab Depressurization?Active Sub-slab Depressurization (ASD) helpsto reduce the amount of radon entering ahome by enabling its evacuation from belowthe foundation, up a pipe, and out the house. An ASD has the benefit of an electrically powered fan – typically located in the attic. The fan creates a vacuum, drawing soil gases, such as radon, up through the pipe. The radon gas is then quickly diluted to the outdoors.

Resources for homeownersThe BC Lung Association is offering home-owners the option to purchase a Do-it-Yourself Guide – Protecting Your Home from Radon in Canada: a Step-by-Step Manual for Radon Reduction.

The Manual can be ordered from radonaware.ca or visit your local public library as they may have a copy. Free copies are also downloadable at http://certi.us/Downloads/Online_DIY_Book_091514.pdf

To locate a Certified Radon MitigationProfessional go to radonaware.ca andclick on ‘Fix a Radon Problem’.

For general information on radon please contact the following:

The BC Lung association2675 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 2K2P: 1.800.665.LUNG (5864) E: radonaware@bc.lung.ca W: radonaware.ca

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The only way to know is to TEST!

What is radon?Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs whenuranium in soil and rock breaks down. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. In enclosedspaces, such as a home, it can accumulate to dangerous levels.

Radon health eff ectsAfter smoking, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in Canada and is responsible for as many as 16% of lung cancer deaths. Smokers that are also exposed to high levels of radon have a 1 in 3 lifetime risk of developing lung cancer.

Radon entry into the homeRadon can enter anywhere a building comes into contact with the soil. This may include,

• Construction joints• Gaps around service pipes• Window casements• Floor drains• Sumps or cavities inside walls• Cracks in foundation walls and in fl oor slabs

How do I know if my home has radon? The only way to know if your home has radon is to TEST. Testing is the fi rst step before making a deci-sion to mitigate your home’s radon level. Testing is simple and low cost. The BC Lung Association recommends you test your home’s radon level in the winter months when your home is “sealed-up.”

How do I test?There are two types of radon tests: Short-termand Long-term.

SHORT-TERM TESTS: If you need results quicklyyou might choose a short-term test. Short-term tests remain in a home for 2-90 days. As radon levels can fluctuate, the BC Lung Association recommends you always follow-up with a long-term test.

LONG-TERM TESTS: The most common method for testing radon in Canada is the long-term test. A long-term test remains in the home for 91 days and up to 12 months. A long-term test will give you a reading that is more likely to tell you your home’s year-round average radon level.

Where do I get a radon test kit?The BC Lung Association sells long-term test kits. You can purchase a test kit at radonaware.ca for $29.99. If you are looking to have a short-term test completed we recommend you call a Certified Radon Mitigation Professional.

You can locate a certified professional at http://c-nrpp.ca/find-a-professional

Remember, ALWAYS follow-up a short-term test with a long-term test.

How do I interpret mytest results?Your radon test results will be reported inBecquerel per cubic metre (Bq/m3). If yourhome’s radon level is above 200 Bq/m3, theBC Lung Association and Health Canadarecommend you reduce your level.

How do I reduce my home’s radon level?If your home’s radon level is above 200 Bq/m3

one or more of the following measures maybe needed:

• Sealing cracks in the foundation and openings around pipes and drains

• Increasing mechanical ventilation

• Installing an “Active Sub-slab Depressurization System”

For more information on the health impacts of radon, ordering a radon test kit, or locating a Certified Radon Professional, visit radonaware.ca

Long-term radon detector