Radon Detector Screening ToolRadon Detector Screening Tool

This is a screening tool only, and users are advised to pursue long-term radon testing. Long-term tests may be obtained from The Lung Association of Nova Scotia and PEI (https://www.lungnspei.ca/radon-awareness) and Take Action on Radon (https://takeactiononradon.ca/)." Radon is a radioactive gas produced naturally by the decay of uranium in the ground. It exists all over the world, although the amount of uranium and level of radon gas vary significantly, even from one house to the next. Radon is invisible, you can't see it, smell or taste it and it can get into your home undetected. The current Canadian Guideline for radon is 200 becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m3). Becquerels per cubic meter is the unit of measurement for radon, the higher the number the greater the risk. Protecting your family's health from the risk of radon exposure starts with learning more. The only known risk from long-term exposure to radon is the development of lung cancer. Radon exposure is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. The level of risk depends on the concentration of radon as well as the number of years of exposure. A recent study has shown that over 1 in 5 New Brunswick households have radon levels above the Canadian guideline - one of the highest in Canada. Radon is found in nearly all homes in Canada, new or old. The question is: how much is in your home? The gas can enter the home wherever it has contact with the ground. Radon tends to accumulate in the lower levels of the home, like the basement for example, where it can reach high concentrations. The gas can seep into the house in a variety of places: Foundation wall cracks; Between floor tiles; Packed earth floors; Construction seams; Gaps around pipes and support posts; Crawl spaces, drains and sump holes. The only way to know if you have a radon problem in your home is to measure its concentration with a simple test. There are a number of measuring devices and services available. Testing is safe, simple and relatively inexpensive. Some radon detectors allow you to measure radon concentrations over short periods (days) while others do so over several months. Health Canada recommends measuring radon in your home for at least three months, ideally in the fall and winter timeframe. Radon levels can vary significantly over time and therefore a long-term test is more accurate. If the radon test results are above the Canadian Guideline of 200 becquerels per cubic meter (200Bq/m3), steps to reduce the level of radon in your home should be taken. The higher the level, the sooner corrective measures should be taken. Remember that you should not rely on your neighbors' test result as results can vary significantly from one home to the next"--From the Lung Association of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.