Radon Awareness Project

Update!

Thank you for your continued interest in the Radon Awareness Project. 

The three month test period for the 25 test kits distributed throughout Strathcona County has now passed. Participants were asked to submit their test kit results directly to the The Lung Association of Alberta & NWT (TLA) to be included in the Alberta wide data collection and awareness campaign.  Once complete,  our web page will be updated to include a link to the anonymous results or they can be accessed directly through the Lung Association of Alberta & NWT.       

Strathcona County assisted TLA with distribution of  test kits to raise awareness about radon and encourage our citizens to test their homes for high levels of the potentially harmful gas.

What is radon?

Radon is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that is found naturally in soil and rock from the breakdown of uranium. High levels of radon found indoors can be a health risk to you and your family. The Canadian guideline for indoor radon levels is 200 becquerels per cubic metre (200 Bq/m³). The only way to know if you and your loved ones are at risk of radon exposure is to test. 

What are the health impacts?

Long-term exposure to high levels of radon can lead to lung cancer. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall. Radon exposure is estimated to be the cause of 10% of lung cancers. If you live in a building with high radon levels (or if you spend a lot of time in one), you are at higher risk for lung cancer. If you smoke and you live in a home with a high level of radon, you are at an even higher risk for lung cancer.

There is no evidence that radon exposure causes respiratory diseases such as asthma, or symptoms such as persistent coughing or headaches. 

How can I be exposed to radon?

Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. Radon gas escapes from the ground into the air outside. When radon mixes with the air outside, it’s not a problem: the air outside dilutes the amount of radon. But when radon seeps into a closed-in space like a house, it can be harmful because it can become trapped inside. Radon can seep into your home through cracks in floors, walls and foundations, especially on the lower floor, basement or crawlspace. Radon gas can get into your home through many openings, including: unfinished floors, pipes, windows, sump pumps and cracks in the basement floor or foundation.

How radon enters a home

Why does this matter in Alberta?

A recent Canadian survey on radon and indoor air quality reported that Albertans are the least likely to know about radon. There is currently little research on radon exposure levels in Alberta homes. Testing your home for radon can help us form a greater understanding of radon levels in Strathcona County. 

How can I test my home?

For a limited time, TLA is providing free radon testing kits (supplies limited) for Strathcona County homeowners.

If you are interested in getting a free radon test kit, email or call (780) 464-8080.

  • Please provide the following information in your email or when you call:
    • Full name
    • Civic address
    • Phone number
    • Email address
    • Age of your home (approximate)
  • Your address and the age of your home are essential in determining participation in the program. With a limited number of test kits available, our goal is to provide a roughly representative sample of Strathcona County homes, covering both rural and urban homes as well as newer and older homes.
  • Kits will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis to those able to contribute to this equal representation of different home types.
  • If you do not receive a free test kits but are interested in testing your home, tests are available at selected Home Hardware stores, and online from several distributors. In addition, TLA offers test kits in return for a $100 donation which will go to fund future radon campaigns and projects.

What does testing my home involve?

Testing is easy – it requires a homeowner to place a radon test kit in the lowest, frequently used level of a home (such as a basement or main floor) where it will not be disturbed for a period of three months. Once the testing period is over, the homeowner collects the detector and mails it to a laboratory for analysis and results.

The chosen level of the home where you place your kit should be used frequently. If your basement is unfinished, it is recommended that you place the kit on the main floor.

If you receive a free test kit from Strathcona County, we ask that you sign and return the waiver form which will allow The Lung Association to receive the results of your testing. This important step helps The Lung Association gather essential information used to provide resources to Albertans to prevent radon exposure. 

My home has high radon levels. What do I do?

If your home has high radon levels (200 Becquerels per cubic metre is the Canadian radon guideline), TLA suggests that you contact a certified radon mitigator. A certified radon mitigator is a contractor or individual who is trained to fix your home and lower the amount of radon indoors.

Visit the TLA website or call 1-888-566-LUNG (5864) for more information on what you can do to reduce radon levels in your home. 

Further information 
780-464-8080
 

 

Last updated: Tuesday, December 06, 2011
Page ID: 6997

County Hall: 2001 Sherwood Drive, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada T8A 3W7