Radon gas explained
What Is Radon Gas?
Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally when the uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It is an invisible, breathable substance that is odorless and directly linked to increased chances of contracting lung cancer, and testing is the only way to know how much of it is inside your home.
- Certified technicians set up your test
- Radon testing and mitigation
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Why radon matters
Radon Gas and Lung Cancer
Dealing with indoor air quality since 1999, we at Platinum Air Care noticed that radon is one of the most unfamiliar subjects known to our customers, and that needs to be addressed.
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#1
Radon gas is the #1 cause of lung cancer for non-smokers.
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3,200
Thousands of people die yearly from radon-induced lung cancer: Health Canada puts the annual death rate in Canada at 3,200.
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29%
Only about 29% of Canadians who tested high for radon in Health Canada’s studies took action to reduce it, and most Canadians remain untested.
The health risk from radon exposure is long-term and not immediate, meaning the longer you are exposed to high levels of radon, the greater your risk. Testing is the only way to know how much radon is inside the building.
Book a radon testSources: Health Canada, Radon gas: it’s in your home and Residential Radon Mitigation Actions Follow-Up Study.
On This Page
Keep reading to learn more about radon, or jump to a section:
Where radon comes from
How Radon Gets Into the Home
Since radon is a naturally occurring substance, it is also present in the outdoor environment; however, the open air is able to dilute the substance to a non-threatening level.
Radon becomes threatening when it becomes trapped in enclosed spaces such as your home. Radon accumulates in an enclosed or poorly ventilated space, creating higher and more dangerous levels of radon.
Radon levels are usually the highest in basements or crawl spaces, as they are closest to the ground and the source of radon. These spaces are often also poorly ventilated.
The difference in air pressure from inside vs. outside the home draws air and other gases, including radon, from the soil into your home.
Just remember: radon is able to enter a home through any opening where the house contacts the ground – cracks in the foundation floor and walls, construction joints, gaps around service pipes, support posts, window casements, floor drains, sumps, or cavities inside walls.
Sources: Health Canada, About radon; Lung Cancer Canada, Radon and other lung cancer risk factors.
Radon levels
Understanding Radon Levels
Most people are unaware, or unable to accept, that high levels of radon are inside their homes, but even “low” levels are not safe levels for regular exposure to radon gas. However, radon gas is naturally occurring, so obtaining a zero level of radon is also unlikely.
Radon Units: Converting Bq/m³ to pCi/L
There are two measurements for reading radon:
- Bq/m³ (becquerels per cubic meter, also written Bq/m3), used in Canada
- pCi/L (picocuries per liter of air), used in the United States
1 pCi/L is equal to 37 Bq/m³.
To convert Bq/m³ to pCi/L, divide by 37. To convert pCi/L to Bq/m³, multiply by 37.
| Bq/m³ | pCi/L | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 2.7 | WHO reference level |
| 148 | 4 | EPA action level |
| 200 | 5.4 | Canadian guideline |
Health Official Guidelines for Radon
Both the United States and Canada have different guidelines for radon, but both agree firmly that high levels of radon are hazardous to our health.
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Health Canada
200 Bq/m³
The Canadian guideline: 200 Bq/m³ or below. This is equal to 5.4 pCi/L or less.
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U.S. EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency)
4 pCi/L
The EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L (148 Bq/m³) or more, and considering a fix between 2 and 4 pCi/L (74 to 148 Bq/m³).
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WHO (World Health Organization)
100 Bq/m³
The WHO reference level: 100 Bq/m³ or below. This is equal to 2.7 pCi/L or less.
Is Any Level of Radon Safe?
Health Canada says the health risk from radon exposure below the Canadian guideline is small, but there is no safe level of radon: it is each homeowner’s choice what level of exposure they are willing to accept. For new homes, the Canadian guideline adds that construction should use techniques that minimize radon entry and make it easier to remove radon later, should that prove necessary.
The Health Canada guideline exceeds both the EPA and WHO guidelines of when it is necessary to take remedial action towards radon; however, the bottom line is high levels of radon need to be removed from the home for the health and safety of its occupants.
Health Canada Recommendation for Remedial Action
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Remediate within 1 year
A yearly average above 200 Bq/m³: Health Canada recommends taking steps to reduce the radon level within 1 year.
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Sooner at higher levels
The higher the radon level, the sooner Health Canada recommends taking those steps.
Sources: Health Canada, Guide for radon measurements in homes; U.S. EPA, radon action level; WHO, Radon and health.
Take action against radon
How to Reduce Radon in Your Home
Radon is found in all buildings, but there are ways to fight against radon.
Radon mitigation is a type of venting system installed in the home designed to remove radon gas outside and away from your home. Radon mitigation by Platinum Air Care lowers radon concentrations inside the home by up to 90%.
Increasing home ventilation, like a heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system or energy recovery ventilation (ERV) system, can also lower radon concentrations by up to 25–30%.
Our radon removal devices are made with the highest standards and manufactured in the USA by Aprilaire.
- Up to 90% less radon with a mitigation system
- Up to 25–30% less with an HRV or ERV
- Certified radon technicians
Radon removal & mitigation Radon testing and mitigation in Southwestern Ontario
Questions
Radon Gas FAQ
Short answers to the radon questions homeowners ask most.
What is radon gas?
Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally when the uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It is invisible, odorless, and tasteless, so testing is the only way to know how much radon is inside a building.
How does radon get into a house?
The difference in air pressure from inside vs. outside the home draws air and other gases, including radon, from the soil into your home. Radon is able to enter through any opening where the house contacts the ground: cracks in the foundation floor and walls, construction joints, gaps around service pipes, support posts, window casements, floor drains, sumps, or cavities inside walls.
Where are radon levels highest in a home?
Radon levels are usually the highest in basements or crawl spaces, as they are closest to the ground and the source of radon. These spaces are often also poorly ventilated.
What radon level is too high in Canada?
The Canadian guideline is 200 Bq/m³ (5.4 pCi/L). If your yearly average is above it, Health Canada recommends taking steps to reduce the radon level within 1 year, and sooner the higher the level is. The World Health Organization’s reference level is lower, at 100 Bq/m³, and Health Canada says there is no safe level of radon.
How do you convert Bq/m³ to pCi/L?
Divide by 37, because 1 pCi/L is equal to 37 Bq/m³. So 100 Bq/m³ is 2.7 pCi/L, 148 Bq/m³ is 4 pCi/L, and 200 Bq/m³ is 5.4 pCi/L. To convert pCi/L to Bq/m³, multiply by 37.
How do you test a home for radon?
Our certified technicians will set up your test so you don’t have to, and give you on-the-spot advice in your home. Our electronic radon monitor begins detecting radon within the first hour and continuously updates readings throughout the test. The monitor we use has undergone independent Canadian performance testing and demonstrated strong agreement with professional reference instruments. A rapid test can identify potential radon concerns, while Health Canada recommends a minimum 91-day measurement to determine a home’s long-term radon exposure. To book a radon test, call (519) 686-3595.
How do you reduce radon in a home?
With radon mitigation: a venting system installed in the home designed to remove radon gas outside and away from your home. Radon mitigation by Platinum Air Care lowers radon concentrations inside the home by up to 90%. Increasing home ventilation with an HRV or ERV system can also lower radon concentrations by up to 25–30%.
Let us help you
Ready to Take Action Against Radon?
Radon is colorless and odorless. It enters your home through the cracks and holes in the foundation. It’s impossible to know the levels of radon in your home without radon testing.
Radon gas is found in every building, and high levels are dangerous to our health over long periods of time. Let us help do the testing for you: our certified technicians will set up your test so you don’t have to.
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