Our Provincial

Radon

RN 222EAST COAST HOME INSPECTION LTD CAN TEST YOUR HOME FOR RADON

0.3%

Radon Map of Canada showing the % of homes

that measured above the recommended 200

BQ/m3.

WHERE DOES RADON COME FROM

WHY IS RADON A HAZARD

Radon Results

Radon is natural and a very potential hazard when geological

conditions are favorable. Radon is at its greatest potential in

buildings because the gas collects in the enclosed spaces.

Outdoor levels never reach dangerous concentrations

because of scattering due to air movements. Radon enters

buildings through the ground in the basement of the homes.

Radon gas increases the risk of getting lung cancer. Your chances

of getting lung cancer from radon gas depend on factors such as

the home’s radon level, the amount of time you spend in your

home and whether you are a smoker or have ever been a

smoker. Recent studies estimate that between 15,400 and

21,800 deaths per year are attributable to radon gas.

Radon comes from:

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Because it is radioactive, radon decays.

As it decays, radon produces decay products, sometimes called "radon daughters" or "radon progeny".

Radon gas and radon progeny in the air can be breathed into the lungs where they breakdown further

and emit "alpha particles". Alpha particles release small bursts of energy which are absorbed by nearby

lung tissue. This results in lung cell death or damage. When lung cells are damaged, they have the

potential to result in cancer when they reproduce.

WHERE SHOULD I TEST FOR RADON

Radon gas increases the risk of getting lung cancer. Your chances of getting

lung cancer from radon gas depend on factors such as the home’s radon

level, the amount of time you spend in your home and whether you are a

smoker or have ever been a smoker. Recent studies estimate that between

15,400 and 21,800 deaths per year are attributable to radon gas.

WHAT IS AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF RADON

200

Bq/m3

In Canada the federal government has recommended that the Canadian acceptable

level for radon should be 200 becquerels per cubic meter of air (200Bq/m3).

The EPA, US Environmental Protection Agency, recommends 145 BQ/m3.

The WHO, World Health Organization, recommends 100 BQ/m3.

Smokers + High Radon Levels = 1 in 3 High Radon Levels + Non Smoker = 1 in 20

Note: New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Yukon

measured the highest of all the Canadian

provinces.

Lung cancer risk. Smoker + high radon = 1 in 3; high radon only = 1 in 20

Not everyone exposed to radon will develop cancer. The time between exposure

and the onset of the disease is usually many years. Unlike smoking, occasional

exposure to radon does not produce any symptoms, such as coughing or

headaches.

Your risk of developing lung cancer from radon depends on the concentration of

radon in the air you breathe and the length of time you are exposed. If you are a

smoker also exposed to elevated levels of radon your risk of lung cancer is

significantly increased.

Soil Rocks Water

Radon Myths You Should Know the Truth

AboutRADON IS ONLY A PROBLEM WITH HOMES WITH A BASEMENT

FALSE | Any style of home can have elevated levels of radon. Crawl | Slab | Walk Out | Combination Style Homes

ONLY CERTAIN AREAS OF CANADA HAVE RADON ISSUES

FALSE | Elevated levels of Radon have been found in all the Provinces and Territories.

THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR TESTED LOW FOR RADON SO MINE SHOULD TOO

FALSE | Every home is deferent because what's underneath each home is different. Fault Lines | Rock Layers | Walk Out | Caves

RADON LEVELS CHANGE SO MUCH THAT TESTS DON'T MEAN ANYTHING

FALSE | Testing to Health Canada guidelines is 94% accurate.

OPENING A WINDOW WILL LOWER RADON LEVELS IN YOUR HOME

FALSE | Opening windows can actually raise Radon levels.

IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIX A RADON PROBLEM

FALSE | Radon mitigations systems are one of the least expensive repairs to a home.

NO ONE REALLY KNOW IF RADON CAUSES LUNG CANCER

FALSE | People around the world and Health Canada recognize radon as a dangerous carcinogen.

Radon Electric

Upgrade

Furnace Roof Foundation

Wall

0k

1k

2k

3k

4k

5k

6k

7k

8kEstimated Costs for Home Repair

Prostate

Colorectal

Lung

Bladder

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Kidney

Melanoma

Cancer Cases in Men

Breast

Lung

Colorectal

Body Uterus

Thyroid

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Melanoma

Cancer Cases in Women

For more information on Radon Gas or

testing your home for Radon.

Call or Visit Us Today!

(506) 651-9461

www.TheInspectors.ca

16% of lung

cancers deaths

in Canada are

attributable to

radon exposure.

East Coast Home Inspection Ltd uses a radon

monitor called E-PERM to measure radon

concentrations. The E-PERM is our choice

technology because it is accurate, reliable, easy

to use, and environmentally friendly (it can be re-

used numerous times).

What Do We Use to Test Radon Gas?

The E-PERM is an electret ion chamber device

which provides an accurate and reliable means for

measuring indoor radon concentrations. Unlike

charcoal devices the E-PERM is not affected by

humidity or temperature changes. The E-PERM is a

true integrating device, meaning it does not show

bias towards any part of the testing period and

records the total average radon exposure. In

contrast to alpha track devices the E-PERM is

reusable and has no waste. The E-PERM is simple,

efficient, and easy to use.

What Do We Use to Test Radon Gas?Why The E-Perm System?

1. CAREX Canada, (2013). 2009-2011 Cross Canada Radon Survey - Phase 1 & 2 Results. Available from http://carexcanada.ca/en/radon/environmental_estimate/#provincial_tables_and_maps+maps

2. Health Canada, (2012). Cross Canada survey of radon concentrations in homes - final report. Ottawa Ontario: Health Canada, http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/radiation/radon/survey-sondage-

eng.php

3. Statistics Canada. Table 153-0098 - Households and the environment survey, knowledge of radon and testing, Canada and provinces, every two years (percent), CANSIM. Accessed 2015-10-21

4. Radiation Safety Canada. http://www.radiationsafety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Cross-Canada-Survey-of-Radon-Concentrations-in-Homes_FINAL.pdf

5. Health Canada. (2013). Radon: Is it in your home? Ottawa , Ontario: Health Canada

6. Canadian Cancer Society. (2015). Public Health Agency of Canada: Canadian cancer statistics. http://www.cancer.ca/statitics/2015_Figures_1.1-2.4_EN.ppt

Please visit these sites for great information on Radon Gas and Testing:

Health Canada

Lung Association

Take Action On Radon

C-NRPP - Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program

CARST - Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists

East Coast Home Inspection Ltd knows the dangers of Radon Gas and we are

extremely proud to be a leader in Radon Testing and Radon Awareness in New

Brunswick.

We are committed to bringing attention to the Radon Issue and providing easy

to understand Education to all New Brunswickers.