Did you know that prolonged exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada after smoking? It is also considered the second leading cause of cancer in the United States. People are exposed to this gas in the homes where they live. Radon is colorless and has no odor. Radon is a silent killer.
So what is radon?
Radon is a natural byproduct of the radioactive decay of the element known as uranium found in soil and rocks. This gas contains radioactive element radon which is formed in the form of gas during the decomposition of radioactive elements such as uranium and thorium. Radon, which is continuously formed, travels through the air from rocks and soil that contain uranium. This soil is often found under many houses and other structures. Of course, this can lead to health problems if this gas reaches unacceptable levels when entering a house or other structures where people live.
Where are the unacceptable levels of radon?
Unacceptable levels of this radioactive gas are very common on Canadian prairies such as southern Alberta. It is also found in soil and rocks in many other places in Canada. These locations include southern Saskatchewan and many parts of British Columbia. Unacceptable levels can be found in southern Ontario, New Brunswick and northern Canada, such as the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. There are also many parts of the United States that have high levels of uranium and radium in its soil and rocks. Of course, the unacceptable levels of this gas are different between the countries of Canada and the United States. This is due to the way the risk levels are determined. Canada has a higher level of acceptance.
How does this gas get into your home?
Radioactive gas enters your home from unprotected parts of your basement. This gas can be particularly bad during the winter months. During the winter months, many people in northern climates, such as the Canadian prairies, leave their windows closed. This allows radioactive elements to accumulate in the home as there is little air circulation between the outdoor and indoor environments.
What can you do to protect your home from this type of radioactivity?
There are several steps you can take to avoid the health risks from radon. Determine if your house is located on a floor that contains radioactive elements that can produce unacceptable levels of this radioactive gas in your basement. A test can be performed to determine this. You should also ask yourself if your basement floor can protect you from the gas that infiltrates your home structure.
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