Radon in Canada map (photo/Health Canada)

By Kevin Rothwell

High levels found in the Okanagan

Testing for radon gas strongly encouraged in Vernon

Feb 1, 2021 | 6:00 AM

A Vernon man is trying to get the word out about how dangerous radon gas can be in your home.

“I would like to raise awareness about radon gas build up in homes, especially during the winter. A reading of less than 150 is deemed safe and I have scheduled a radon fan install for February. Digital detectors are now readily available and cost effective. It’s a good idea to have your home tested, if you haven’t already,” Steven M Lang said in a Facebook post on Vernon and Area Community Forum.

He also posted a picture of his own basement read out.

Radon gas reading. (photo/Steven M Lang)

According to the B.C. Lung Association, the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, radon leads to approximately 16 per cent of lung cancer deaths in Canada.

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Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs when uranium in soil and rock breaks down. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. When released from the ground into the outdoor air, radon is diluted and not a health concern. However, radon can enter a home through small cracks and openings where the house contacts the soil. Because radon is heavier than air, it can over time accumulate to high levels, putting people’s health at risk.

According to Health Canada, 16.1 per cent of homes in the Okanagan have high radon levels.

While digital testers are now available, levels can swing sharply from day to day. Health Canada recommends a 91-day test using an ‘alpha tracker’ — a small and inexpensive testing device that is easy to use. It measures radioactive particles emitted by radon. After 91 days, the device is sent to a lab for analysis, which tells you the average radon concentrations measured.

Radon in homes is the biggest concern, but high radon can also be a problem in workplaces, schools, daycares, and any indoor space.

Solutions include the installation of a radon fan, or for bare concrete, using a radon sealant, which is readily available at local building supply stores.