Where is radon most commonly found?

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November is typically lung-health month, often including discussions on radon gas. I’ve been talking about radon gas and its effects on homeowners’ health for many years, and we still need to keep the conversation going. So, I thought I’d review some highlights to help educate homeowners because many still don’t know about radon or even think about it.

Radon is a radioactive gas that’s naturally occurring. It’s formed when uranium in the ground breaks down and seeps into the soil. From there, it can make its way into your home through soil, pipes, windows, sump pumps, unfinished floors, crawl spaces, cracks in foundation walls, and floors.

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You can’t see it, smell it or taste it, but it’s there.

Regardless of location, the only way to know if a home contains dangerous radon levels is to test for it. One house can have radon levels next to zero, while the house next door can have levels that are off the charts. 

The amount of radon in your home depends on several factors, like the geology of your area, the construction of your home, and even the weather. During cold months, when we keep our windows and doors closed and use heating systems, radon can get trapped, becoming concentrated and dangerous.

So, what’s the big deal with radon, and why should you be worried about it? Radon is dangerous when it comes to long-term exposure. You might not feel the immediate effects of radon, but over time, it can lead to serious health problems.

Radon is a carcinogen, which means it causes cancer. It’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in North America, next to smoking. So, even if you’ve never picked up a cigarette in your life, you could still be at risk if radon levels in your home are too high.

That’s why it’s crucial to test your home for radon and take action if the levels are too high.

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Testing for radon is simple and affordable. Certified C-NRPP radon tests can be found in stores or online and can be done yourself. However, I encourage homeowners to hire a professional to test for radon, such as a home inspector certified by the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP), to ensure accurate test results. 

Even if your new home only has a radon reduction rough-in, you can still reduce the radon levels by working with your HRV. All new builds in Ontario, for example, require HRV installations, and many other provinces follow this requirement.

An HRV (heat recovery ventilator), allows for the exchange of outdoor and indoor air and can save energy and reduce heating/cooling costs. An HRV can also help minimize radon concentration by approximately 50 per cent, according to CAREX Canada. 

Installing a radon monitor with your HRV can provide a very effective radon reduction solution. The radon monitor constantly measures the radon peaks (not averages), and kicks the HRV into high-speed override when high levels are detected. 

However, an ERV or energy recovery ventilator can also be effective. An ERV provides year-round moisture management for your home. ERVs outweigh the benefits of HRVs depending on the circumstances. HRVs that are 75 per cent efficient are installed in the home — because of the building code. An ERV provides better ventilation as it pulls fresh air in from the outside and extracts the stale air with a high-efficiency furnace. In the winter, an ERV transfers humidity from the air removed from your house, keeping the humidity levels relatively stable. 

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Talk to a radon mitigation specialist to find out what method will suit your home best.

Unfortunately, there is still the misconception that a new home won’t have radon. Wrong! Radon is in every home and at higher concentrations on average in new homes due to a tighter building envelope to make homes more energy efficient. Radon can also be found in multi-storey and highrise buildings and in stairwells and elevator shafts. It all depends on the mechanical ventilation. Every homeowner should have their home tested.

Radon is a silent but potentially deadly threat that can enter your home without you even knowing about it. But the good news is that it is easily detectable with a radon test. If your levels are high, you can protect your family by installing a radon mitigation system or a mechanical ventilation device. So don’t wait. Test your home and take control. It’s a small investment that can make a big difference and keep your home radon-free.

Residents of the GTA can apply for Holmes on Homes: Building A Legacy at makeitright.ca.

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