What is Radon?

Radon Gas is a toxic, naturally occurring, tasteless, odourless, colourless, invisible, radioactive gas that can affect any home. Breathing increased levels of radon increases a person’s chance of developing lung cancer. In fact, Radon is linked to 16% of lung cancer deaths. It is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.  

Who is at risk?

Everyone is at risk for radon inhalation, and any building that has contact with the ground has the potential to have high radon levels, including houses, apartments, schools, daycares, warehouses and commercial spaces. 

The radon decay products (RDP’s) can stick in the lung tissues and continue to irradiate these sensitive tissues. Lung tissues do not have the same protective layers of dead cells that our skin has to protect us from alpha radiation.

Many of these irradiated cells are killed by this radiation, but some are just wounded and recover, a few mutate into cancer cells. Most of these will be taken care of by the bodies natural defenses, but those that are not, are a problem.

The higher the Radon level in your home the more often a cell gets irradiated.

Where is the Radon?

It comes out of the soil, rock and building materials in and around our homes and is caused by the natural radioactive breakdown of particles or uranium. Radon Gas seeps into our basements through cracks, holes, pipes and other openings in our walls and floors. It will even seep through concrete and emit from granite or stone countertops.