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Radon gas has been around for billions of years and will be around for billions more. Radon gas is formed from the natural decay of Uranium. Uranium has a half life cycle of 4.5 Billion years, so it is safe to say that radon gas will be here for a long time. Uranium can be found in small amounts everywhere in the soil beneath our homes. As the uranium decays radon gas will be formed and can concentrate in your home at very high levels. This radon gas will then change state again forming radon decay products. As we breath in radon decay product it will enter our lungs and stick to to the air passages and our lung tissues. The radon decay product will decay once more releasing a high burst of energy called an alpha particle. This energy released is like a small atomic bullet striking the lungs tissues, this is the actual threat that potentially can cause lung cancer.
Radon gas is a invisible radioactive gas that you can not smell or taste. Radon is formed from the natural decay of uranium in soil, rock and water. It can be found in almost all types of soil and is found all over the world.
Radon gas is a known carcinogen to humans and is the second leading cause of lung cancer today. It is estimated that 1,900 Canadians die each year due to radon exposure, in the United States it is estimated that 15,000 to 22,000 die each year due to radon exposure.
Every home will have some level of radon gas. Typically the highest levels of radon gas will be in the basement because it is closest to the source and typically the levels on the above floors will be lower. Radon needs a very small opening to enter your home, an opening the size of your finger is large enough to have high levels in your home. Sometimes it may even enter through well water. Radon levels are unpredictable and vary from home to home, even homes next door to each other can have very different radon levels.
Know your risks test for radon gas!
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