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(Medical-NewsWire.com, November 25, 2012 ) San Francisco, CA -- Though you can not see it or smell it, radon may be seeping up through the foundation of your home and potentially become a serious health risk.
Health Canada wants homeowners to know that it is a risk that can be addressed by measuring the radon in their home and taking the necessary steps to lower elevated levels.
The radon and awareness department at Health Canada says, "It can be fixed. It's easy to fix. And while it's not cheap, it's not super expensive either."
After smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and responsible for an estimated 16% of lung cancer cases among Canadians. For both men and women, lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer in Canada.
A recent survey released by Lung Cancer Canada showed that only 1% of Canadians know that radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Health Canada receives calls from people who have never smoked a day in their life, but have lung cancer. Finding out their home has high levels of radon is not only a scare for themselves, but also for other family members living in the same house.
Radon exists in all houses. It is a byproduct of uranium. When the mineral breaks down in soil, it releases radon. The gas comes into homes and other buildings through foundation cracks or gaps around pipes. Home radon levels depend on a number of factors, including the amount of uranium in the soil, type of soil on the home property, and type of ventilation system installed in the house.
About 7% of Canadian homes have radon levels that exceed 200 becquerels (international unit for measuring radioactivity) per cubic metre, according to a Health Canada survey released earlier in the year. At those levels, homeowners should take action. Ontario homes had lower than 7% radon levels. One in five New Brunswick homes were found to have more than 200 becquerels per cubic metre of radon.
Health Canada says that everyone should test because it is the only real way to know. Commercial tests can be purchased in hardware stores and Health Canada recommends testing for a minimum of three months. Start in the fall when windows and doors are normally closed.
Reducing radon cost an estimated $1,500 to $3,000. Certified contractors can be found via the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program.
Radon testing is worth the cost. While it is not inexpensive, it is less costly than windows or a new roof. It also addresses a serious and potential health risk.
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