Radon enters the lungs with the air we breathe. Major organizations and international health agencies have recognized that radon is a carcinogen. It emits radioactive radiation that can, in the long term, cause lung cancer.

The risk of radon-related lung cancer increases with :

• The concentration of radon: the higher the concentration of radon a person is exposed to, the higher their risk of cancer;
• Duration of exposure to radon: the risk of cancer increases for a person who is exposed to radon for several decades;
• Smoking: smokers exposed to radon have a higher risk of developing lung cancer than non-smokers.

• respiratory disorders, such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema;
• allergies;
• asthma;
• of congenital malformations.

Radon concentrations are generally very low outdoors. Radon dilutes quickly in the air and therefore does not cause health problems.

Radon can, however, seep into the indoor air of buildings and although it is naturally occurring and ubiquitous in the environment, when it does seep into homes, it can reach considerable concentrations and present a health hazard. This gas, which comes from the decay of uranium, is omnipresent in Canada.

Radon can enter a building through all openings in contact with the ground: cracks in foundations, floor slabs, sumps and cavities in walls.

Concentrations vary extremely from one building to another, it is impossible to establish the level of concentration without testing first.

Radon is measured in becquerels per cubic meter of air (Bq/m³).

There is a guideline in Canada that states that the radon concentration not to be exceeded in a home is 200 Bq/m³. In general, the concentration of radon is not very high in homes in Quebec. The average radon concentration in basements is about 35 Bq/m³. However, concentrations can sometimes reach very high levels.

To find out the concentration of radon in your home, it must be measured with a measuring device called a dosimeter. It is recommended to do this measurement for a period of at least 3 months and to do the radon measurement during the winter.

Don’t rely on test results from a home next door or other homes in your neighborhood. Indeed, radon concentrations can vary greatly between homes, even if they are close to each other.

You can measure the radon concentration in your home yourself. We suggest the Alpha-Track screening kit from AccuStar. This test is recommended by the Quebec Lung Association.

Health Canada recommends the use of a detector that measures radon over a period of at least three months between October and April. Long-term measurement is the most accurate way to assess your radon concentration. If your test result is problematic, don’t panic! We are here to help you.

A radon mitigation system is a simple and proven method of reducing radon levels. Proper installation by a certified radon professional is essential.

We understand your concern, that’s why we come to your property to establish the right diagnosis. We will work with you to determine the best location for your system and establish the proper strength of your fan. This is a service we offer free of charge, so you will be able to make an informed decision.

When the attenuation system is on, the radon path is deflected. Rather than seeping in, the radon is drawn in by the fan and exhausted through the pipe to the outside.

Mitigation also provides other benefits, such as reduced humidity levels in basements.

Action-Radon.net is a precursor in this field in Quebec. We have over 2000 installations to our credit and all our installations are done by one of our contractor-owners. Those who perform the work in your home are themselves certified.

Since 2012, a Canadian certification exists for mitigation. This certification allows a control on the competences and the quality of the speakers. Action-Radon.net is currently one of the few companies with Canadian certification (PNCR-C/C-NRPP) and American certification (NEHA-NRPP).