Radon induced lung cancer kills more people annually (in Canada) than car crashes, house fires and CO2 poisoning combined! The law states that we must wear seat belts and by code, all new homes must have smoke & carbon monoxide detectors, so why are we not testing for radon? A radon test is inexpensive, simple and can save lives.
When a home or building has high levels of radon (above the Health Canada threshold) it is considered dangerous and a health risk. As radon breaks down, the radioactive particles can release energy and cause damage to the lung tissue when inhaled. This damage, over time, can cause lung cancer.
Health Canada States: Radon exposure is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. 16% of lung cancers are estimated to be from radon exposure, resulting in more than 3,000 lung cancer deaths in Canada each year. People who smoke and are exposed to radon have an even higher risk of lung cancer. The health risk from radon is long-term not immediate. The longer you are exposed to high levels of radon, the greater your risk.
