By: Edris Formuli
There’s a radioactive, cancer-causing gas being emitted from the grounds of Canada - should we be concerned?
Retrieved from Manitoba Lung Association
Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally when the uranium in soil and rock decays (Government of Canada, 2017). It is invisible, odourless and tasteless (Government of Canada, 2017). The decay of radon occurs naturally throughout Canada, but with higher concentrations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and parts of British Columbia and Quebec. Concentrations of radon differs across Canada depending on the amount of uranium in the area. According to Health Canada 200 Bq/m3is considered the acceptable level of Radon in the average Canadian home. However, the World Health Organization sets the acceptable level at 100Bq/m3.
The illustration below depicts the percentage of Canadians living in households with radon concentrations above 200 Bq/m3.
Retrieved from Statistics Canada
The decay of Uranium to Radon. Retrieved from B.C. Centre for Disease Control
Health Risks of Radon
The City of Toronto states that when radon is released from the ground outside, it becomes easily diluted with the air and is not a health concern. However, in buildings it can sometimes accumulate to high levels, posing a health risk. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies radon as “carcinogenic to humans” (American Cancer Society, 2015). Other major organizations, such as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) acknowledge radon as carcinogenic as well (American Cancer Society, 2015). The EPA lists radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer and the number one cause of lung cancer within non-smokers in the US, responsible for approximately 20 000 lung cancer deaths annually (American Cancer Society, 2015). Similar to the US, Health Canada (2019) states that Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada, and the only known health effect of radon is an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Lung Cancer Canada states, “Once inside the lungs, radon decay products can genetically damage delicate lung cells –potentially leading to the development of lung cancer when these cells reproduce. Radon is one of the most deadly and overlooked health risks today.” The WHO (n.d.) states “lung cancer risk rises 16% per 100 Bq/m3 increase in radon exposure” and sets a reference limit to 100Bq/m3 of radon in all households while advising not to exceed 300Bq/m3.
Evident from the graph below, radon is the leading cause of death in Canada compared to the number of deaths from car accidents, carbon monoxide and house fires annually.
The annual death rate in Canada from exposure to radon-induced lung cancer is 3,200 deaths, higher than carbon monoxide 1,898 deaths, car accidents 300 deaths and house fires 109 deaths combined. Retrieved from Government of Canada
Radon in Canada. Government of Canada
Retrieved from Choice Realty LTD
Reducing Radon in Your Homes
Health Canada states that the only way to know how much Radon is in your house is to test for it. You can either buy a testing kit and send it for laboratory analysis, or have a professional to test for radon. Tests should be conducted long-term over a period of 3 months. The cost of testing ranges from $30-60. If your Radon test level is above 200Bq/m3, you can hire a Certified Radon Mitigation Professional and reduce radon levels by up to 80%. The cost for reducing the radon levels in your home typically ranges from $2000-4000.
References
Government of Canada. (2017). Radon gas: it's in your home.
Statistics Canada. (2016). Radon Awareness in Canada.
Gibson, J. (2017). Radon gas at dangerous levels in 1 in 8 Calgary-area homes,
Government of Canada. (2019). Radon: What You Need to Know.
City of Toronto. (n.d.). Radon & Your Health.
Health Canada. (2019). Radon: Is it in your home? Information for Health
Professionals
American Cancer Society. (2015). Radon and Cancer.
Lung Cancer Canada. (n.d.). Radon.