Interesting facts
In New Brunswick
Unfortunately, New Brunswick has the highest concentrations of radon of any province in Canada. 1 in 4 homes ( 25% ) has radon levels over 200 Bq/m3, the Canadian average is 1 in 14 homes ( 7% ).
Lung Cancer Risk
Long-term radon exposure is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked.
Radon and Smoking
The majority of lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking. Radon exposure is linked to approximately 16% of lung cancer deaths in Canada and is the second leading cause of lung cancer for smokers. If you smoke or have smoked and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.
Do I need to reduce the radon levels in my home ?
If you’ve tested your home and the radon level is above the Canadian Guideline of 200 Bq/m3, Health Canada recommends that you take action to lower the level. The higher the radon concentrations, the sooner action should be taken to reduce levels to as low as practically possible. While the health risk from radon exposure below the Canadian Guideline is small there is no level that is considered risk free. It is the choice of each homeowner to decide what level of radon exposure they are willing to accept.
How it enters your home
Additional Information
A number of factors can affect radon levels in a building. High radon levels can occur in any building regardless of age, heating system, foundation type, geographic location, air tightness, ventilation rate or building materials used.
The amount of radon in your home will depend on:
- the source (amount of uranium in the ground),
- the number of entry points into your home,
- how well your home is ventilated among other factors.