Doctors are seeing more non-smokers, especially women, with later-stage lung cancer

Excerpt from The Canadian Press, Nicole Ireland

“She's one of a growing number of non-smokers doctors are seeing with lung cancer. Although smoking remains the leading risk factor, the Canadian Cancer Society estimates about a quarter of lung cancer cases in the country are non-smokers. 

In addition, more of those non-smokers are women than men and it's not clear why, said Jessica Moffatt, vice-president of programs and advocacy at the Lung Health Foundation.

"One of the theories is that potentially estrogen is doing something to perpetuate tumour growth, but it's all theories at this point," she said. 

What scientists do know is that environmental factors contribute to lung cancer risk, especially radon gas.”

Read Full Article

Nicole Ireland, The Canadian Press

Radon Awareness Campaign | BCREA, BC Lung and Real Estate Foundation of BC

November is RADON ACTION MONTH, and the BC Real Estate Association, BC Lung Foundation, and Real Estate Foundation of BC have announced the launch of a collaborative Radon Gas Public Awareness Campaign. This campaign is designed to spread awareness and educate British Columbians about Radon Gas and its harmful health risks.

Learn more at radonkills.ca/bc

In The News: FVRD to continue residential radon testing despite only half of free kits being returned

Promising news, kudos to the FVRD for listening and taking swift action to get the message into the community; test for radon and take control of your indoor air quality and lung health!

**** Full Article from Fraser Valley Today written by Don Mitchell

CHILLIWACK — The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) has once again approved a potential $10,000 expenditure for a winter residential radon-testing program.

Despite only around half of the 500 test kits being returned to the region’s environmental services from a similar initiative this past year, the Regional and Corporate Committee has decided to renew the project.

With radon characterized as a potential health hazard by Fraser Health, the 90-day kits were distributed in late 2023 across municipal and electoral areas.

Health authorities previously stated that they didn’t have adequate test results for radon across the region.

Read Full Article, by Don Mitchell, Fraser Valley Today

FVRD lobbies the BC Government for Radon Mitigation Funding. Article by Mike Vanden Bosch (Fraser Valley Today)

CHILLIWACK — “Following the release of radon test analyses that showed elevated levels of radon in Electoral Area H (Cultus Lake and Lindell) and Hope, Fraser Valley Regional District staff support an effort to buy 200 radon kits and lobby the BC government for funding to help residents with radon mitigation systems in their homes.

According to a FVRD staff report prepared by environmental services coordinator Elias Ross, radon is a colourless, odourless gas that is linked to the deaths of more than 3,000 Canadians each year. Radon is reported to be the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. Radon gets naturally released into the environment from decaying radioactive materials in the earth.”

Read Full Article By Mike Vanden Bosch (Fraser Valley Today)

Radon Mitigation for Builders

 Radon Mitigation System in Home Building

Every house contains some radon. Moreover, radon concentrations vary geographically and change at different times of the year.

Radon is present in every indoor environment, so it’s vital that homeowners must have their homes tested. Because long-term exposure to radon gas is harmful and can even lead to lung cancer.

Check out the Radon Potential Map of Canada Any home can have dangerous radon levels, regardless of geography.

How Does Radon Get into Home

Radon can seep into a home through soil, windows, cracks in foundation walls and floors, loose pipes fittings and support posts, floor drains and sump pumps, wall, floor joists, and even through your water facets! Concrete is porous, and radon is a gas. Therefore, that means it can penetrate through even the tiniest holes in a house.

Radon Mitigation System for Builders

There are three levels of radon reduction systems that builders can install into new construction.

• Level 1 is a Rough-In for Active Soil Depressurization for Radon Reduction

• Level 2- Full Passive Vertical Radon Stack

• Level 3- Full Active Soil Depressurization

Level 1 radon - reduction system

Level 1 is a Rough-In for Active Soil Depressurization for Radon Reduction. A radon-reduction system's entrance point for radon and other soil gasses is a pipe that extends into a soil gas collector (typically gravel) beneath the foundation floor. The pipe finally comes to an end and is covered just above the slab.

This system is merely a rough-in, and if radon mitigation is needed, a fan system can be added. In order to reduce radon ingress, a membrane has also been placed beneath the concrete slab and is sealed to the foundation wall. The majority of provinces and territories have followed this strategy, according to CARST.

Also, it is essential to caulk any foundation cracks and joints as well as the areas near the sump pit, floor drains, and other pipes.

Level 2 - Full Passive Vertical Radon Stack

Level 2 is an extension of Level 1, where the pipe from Level 1 is extended up through space vertically and out through a wall to terminate outdoors. Provisions must be taken to ensure the pipe is properly sealed to ensure re-entrainment of radon does not occur. The system relies on naturally occurring pressure differentials generated by the stack effect to mitigate radon. This level is now being used in the BC building code.

Level 3- Full Active Soil Depressurization

System Level 3 uses the pipe from Level 2 and also includes a low wattage radon fan. The system relies on the radon fan to induce a pressure difference to exhaust soil gasses and radon from under the slab. Radon fans run continuously, and a system pressure monitor is installed for the monitoring of the system. This method has been shown to be highly effective at reducing radon concentrations in a building.

Many different products are available that can be used in the installation process of a radon reduction system. Radon Guard and Radon Block are the best choices to prevent radon from the beginning.

Radon Mitigation System - RADON GUARD™

Radon Guard® Insulation is a key component of any radon mitigation system. This code compliant replacement for code required 100mm layer of granular material under slab, is a 2 in 1 system that both insulates and protects interior spaces from radon gas for generations.

Radon Mitigation System - RADON BLOCK™

Radon Block® is the leading high performance radon blocking barrier membrane. It resists gas and moisture migration into the building envelope, providing superior protection from toxic and harmful chemicals. Evaluated as a code alternative solution CCMC 14024-R.

Contact us to discuss your radon mitigation options. With the proper radon mitigation system, radon levels can be reduced by more than 80% .

How Radon Block and Radon Guard work in an Active Soil Depressurization method

Radon Mitigation for Your Home

All about Radon and Radon Mitigation System for Homeowners

What is radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas created from the decay of uranium minerals present in rock, soil and water. You cannot see, taste or smell radon. Outdoors there is little danger as radon is diluted in the open air. Indoors, radon can be trapped and become concentrated in enclosed poorly ventilated spaces resulting in a significant increased health risk.

Radon is the leading environmental cause of lung cancer and the second-leading cause of lung cancer next to smoking. Radon-induced lung cancer is preventable, Health Canada’s take action guideline is 200bq/m3. If your home tests above this take action guideline, a mitigation system should be installed.

Check out the Radon Potential Map of Canada.

What is Radon Mitigation?

RADON MITIGATION is the process used to reduce radon gas concentrations in the home or in a building.

What is a Radon Test?

The radon test is a test to identify the level of radon in your home. A radon test can be done by a professional home inspector or by yourself using a radon test kit or the radon tester. Testing radon can be a DIY project. Besides, there is also radon testing equipment for inspectors.

A radon test identifies the radon level in your home so you can make an informed decision and take action if necessary. You can purchase a long-term radon detector and test yourself or hire a certified radon professional to test for you.

Do I need to test for radon?

All homes have some amount of radon, the question is how much. Since you cannot see, taste or smell radon, scientific testing is needed for detection. Testing for radon is an important part of assessing your Indoor Air Quality and should be taken seriously to protect the health of everyone who enters your home. High levels of radon can lead to a significant risk of lung cancer.

Radon Mitigation in Well Water

Some radon stays in the water, drinking water containing radon also presents a risk of developing internal organ cancers, primarily stomach cancer. Radon is only a concern in your water if your drinking water comes from a well (groundwater). Water from wells can have high radon concentrations because radon is relatively insoluble in water.

Water use releases radon into the indoor air and contributes to the total indoor airborne radon concentrations. Radon can be off gassed in the shower, kitchen sink and through the laundry. Radon can be removed from our water using an aeration system, this can significantly reduce the level of radon in your water. The Airwell radon system lowers radon levels in well water up to 99%.

AIRWELL™

Solve the problem of radon in well water before water enters the home. Radon reductions up to 99%.

How does radon gas enter your home

1 . Soil 

2. Windows 

3. Cracks in walls & floors 

4. Loose pipe fittings & support posts 

5. Floor drains & sump pumps 

6. Wall & floor joints 

7. Ground water

REM Teams Up With SunRADON In North America

March 22, 2023, Radon Environmental Management Corp (REM) and SunRADON LLC are excited to announce a new strategic partnership, which will strengthen and expand their offering of high-performance Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and radon measurement solutions, to prevent radon exposure and save lives.

"We are delighted to have entered into a Distribution Agreement with SunRADON, to exclusively supply the lüft® in Canada. We feel a total IAQ solution which includes radon is unique and brings value to the consumer and our commercial clients. We believe this will promote greater awareness of radon in Canada and will result in greater radon monitoring Canada-wide” said Alan Whitehead, REM President & CEO.

David Innes, REM Director of Sales, added "lüft from SunRADON is an established product in the United States and REM is very excited to bring it to the Canadian market. lüft is an IAQ monitor with Wi-Fi connectivity that provides detailed reports and feedback on radon, tVOC, eCO2, temperature, humidity, and air pressure. lüft is designed for both consumer and commercial applications and is meant for long term, continuous monitoring of these metrics for on-going piece of mind, of total IAQ. Its sleek and direct plug-in design, complete with Wi-Fi connectivity, makes it a great solution for monitoring homes, schools and workplaces and comes with a specialized non-tamper cover for these applications. lüft also can interconnect with hundreds of units, to continuously monitor large buildings easily on one dashboard and create total building reports.”

“We are thrilled to be working with REM to improve IAQ awareness across Canada. Radon is a silent killer but is completely manageable if detected and mitigated. We developed the lüft technology using our professional device technology, which has been in use and trusted by thousands of professional radon and building inspectors for over 35 years. We are excited to bring this proven and trusted technology to millions of Canadians who live and work in areas where radon is present” said Dr. Kai Wundke, SunRADON LLC CEO.

About REM

Radon Environmental is a building and environmental health sciences company focused on reducing public exposure to radon gas. REM provides innovative high-performance radon detection and mitigation solutions to treat radon in air and water. The company consults on radon education, mapping, testing and mitigation planning, with government organizations and the building and construction sector across North America. A strength of the company is its emphasis on strategic development to build strong partner and customer relationships.

For more information, visit radoncorp.com

About SunRADON

SunRADON provides market leading Radon Detection and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) solutions. Its mission is to advance the innovation, accuracy, reliability and affordability of Radon and Indoor Air Quality Monitors, to aid in the avoidance of radon-induced lung cancer and the attainment of healthy indoor air quality. SunRADON developed the first professional radon monitor for building inspections in 1987, and through continuous technology and customer satisfaction leadership, is trusted by thousands of professional radon and home inspectors worldwide. Our professional solutions also include wireless data uploading, remote electronic radon laboratory services, and state regulatory compliant quality control and reporting software. Our line of consumer products includes lüft, which utilizes the same proven radon monitoring technology as our professional solutions, but for the consumer market. lüft features a unique plug-in design with Wi-Fi connectivity, to measure and report on radon and IAQ metrics including tVOC, eCO2, temperature, humidity, and air pressure. 

For more information, visit sunradon.com

Article - More than half the state’s groundwater has a 50% or higher probability of radon levels above what’s considered safe.

A new study lead by the U.S Geological Survey using public data to map the presence of radon and uranium in New Hampshire has concluded approximately half the areas groundwater likely has radon levels considered to be unsafe.

Full Article , Jeongyoon Han, nhpr.org

Back To Vegas For IBS

January 5, 2023 - Connect with us at IBS! Our team will be making a short stop in Vegas at the end of January for the NAHB International Builders' Show®. We will be showcasing the Airwell™ by Radon Environmental, with radon reductions up to 99%, this innovative technology mitigates radon in well water before it enters the home.

Stop by to meet our team and see the aeration system in action at booth SU1555!

Radon Environmental & CR3 Partner To Raise Radon Awareness Through Animal Wellness

January 3, 2023 - The Bark Side of Radon, presented by Radon Environmental (REM), is a Canadian public awareness campaign promoting home-owner radon testing through pet health. Medical conditions that veterinarians see in animals are like those doctors see in patients, but the diseases often develop earlier in animals.

"The Company is pleased to announce that it is joining forces with Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction (CR3), in the United States, to expand the campaign to protect all our loved ones, from exposure to cancer causing radon gas, across North America" said Alan Whitehead, President & CEO of REM.

"Your pets are at the lowest level near the ground. Because of their silence, we can be less aware of their suffering until it's too late." says, Jackie Nixon, Cancer Survivor. "We found that the general public truly cares about their pets and really want the best for them. Talking to them about how radon affects animals and how they can protect their pets, really gets their attention and increases their willingness to consider testing for radon."

The oncologist said, “radon is a known cause of lung cancer”. When my husband, Joe, was diagnosed with lung cancer. A radon test revealed we had been living with over 4 times the EPA action level of this demon for 18 years and didn’t know it. We, like millions of others, didn’t know that radon exposure could cause lung cancer; and we didn’t know this silent killer was living with us." says Gloria Linnertz, CR3 President.

About REM

Radon Environmental is a building and environmental health sciences company focused on reducing public exposure to radon gas. REM provides innovative high-performance radon detection and mitigation solutions to treat radon in air and water. The company consults on radon education, mapping, testing and mitigation planning, with government organizations and the building and construction sector across North America. A strength of the company is its emphasis on strategic development to build strong partner and customer relationships.

Contact Radon Environmental:

Emma Whitehead , Customer Relations & Communications Manager

Email: ewhitehead@radoncorp.com 

 About CR3

Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction (CR3) promotes radon reduction to communities through education and awareness. By helping them to understand the risks of not testing and the effects of long-term exposure, CR3 broadens radon knowledge and the willingness of community members to test their properties for radon gas.

Contact CR3:

Jacquelyn E. Nixon, Director of Marketing & Communications

Email: jackie@citizens4radonreduction.org

citizensforradioactiveradonreduction.org

Radon Mitigation System for New Construction

If you are a builder looking for best practices for installing radon control measures in new builds, you’ve come to the right place.

The Radon Environmental team works with builders across North America to provide a fantastic radon-reduction solution for new construction. Our radon mitigation solutions go above building code standards. This means peace of mind for homeowners.

 Radon Mitigation System for New Home

Measuring Radon

Radon is measured in becquerels, which is a unit used to measure radioactive concentration. The Canadian guideline for radon dictates that a home should not contain more than 200 Bq/m3 or 200 units of becquerels per cubic metre. 

Any home can have dangerous radon levels, regardless of geography. Check out the Radon Potential Map of Canada to find your area.

When To Remove Radon From Your Home

Here is Health Canada’s time guideline for removing radon from your home:

• in less than 1 year if the radon level is greater than 600 Bq/m³

• in less than 2 years if the radon level is between 200 Bq/m³ and 600 Bq/m³

Radon Mitigation Systems

Radon Guard

Radon Guard is a structural sub-slab insulation panel that creates continuous ventilation below the slab, with a 68% void space and insulation value that provides excellent communication under the entire slab area. 

Installation of Radon Guard in a new construction build with RDC Fine Homes.

The Radon Guard is a structural sub-slab insulation panel that creates continuous ventilation below the slab.

KEY FEATURES of Radon Guard:

• code compliant replacement for a 100mm thick layer of clean granular fill as required by code

• provides insulation for the slab, less heat loss during cold season than gravel

• interconnected channels on underside of panel depressurize sub-slab space, direct radon to vent pipe

• known compressive strength

• available in five R-values: 8.1 (RSI 1.4 ), 10.1 (RSI 1.8), 12.1 (RSI 2.1), 14.1 (RSI 2.5), and 16.2 (RSI 2.9)

Radon Guard provides high insulation that leads to greater energy efficiency in home.

More information about Radon Guard here.

Radon Block

Radon Block is an engineered vapor barrier that blocks radon from diffusing into the home. It has the lowest radon diffusion coefficient or diffusivity of any of the membranes on the marketplace. 

KEY FEATURES of Radon Block:

Radon Block™ is the new leading high performance radon blocking barrier membrane.

• exceeds ASTM E-1745 Class A, B and C requirements

• available in 20 mil (Class A) thicknesses designed to meet the most stringent requirements

• produced within strict guidelines of an ISO 9001:2008 Certified Management System

• evaluated as a code alternative solution CCMC 14024-R

• available in 10’ x 150’ rolls to maximize coverage

• rolls weigh 160 lbs and are folded on heavy-duty cores for ease in handling and installation

• installation instructions and ASTM E-1745 classifications accompany each roll

By using Radon Guard and Radon Block together, an active soil depressurization system would be achieved, coupled with a 4” vent pipe from below the slab that exhausts outdoors. Place an order for our radon mitigation systems here.

Radostat (on-demand radon mitigation)

Coupled with an HRV, Radostat provides the most simple radon mitigation system that is highly beneficial for retrofit and new build scenarios alike. Energy savings of up 80% may be realized. Your Radostat will only operate only as needed. This means prioritizing energy efficiency along with indoor air quality. 

Coupled with an HRV, Radostat provides the simplest radon mitigation system that is highly beneficial for retrofit and new build scenarios

This innovative approach to radon reduction and monitoring is suited to commercial and residential buildings. 

Key Features of Radostat:

• real-time continuous radon sensor

• non-invasive design integrates into existing HRV/ERV

• activates at a peak of 150 Bq/m3 (4.0 pCi/L)

• economical operation activates only as needed

• ETL listed 5009005: conforms to UL STD 61010-1, certified to CSA STD C22.2 No.61010-1

• 2 year warranty

At what level should you install a radon mitigation system?

The Canadian radon guideline is set at 200 Bq/m3 for indoor radon concentrations at which mitigation is recommended.

 Learn about radon mitigation products being used across North America.

 Related: What Are The Benefits of a Radon Mitigation System? by Mike Holmes.

Q & A SECTION about Radon and Radon Mitigation Systems:

Can you run a ceiling fan during a radon test?

No. During the test, turn off any air-moving equipment. Ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, conventional fans, HEPA filters, and any other air-moving filtering equipment fall into this category. During the test, only use fireplaces or heating stoves if they are your primary source of heat.

Do dehumidifiers remove radon?

No, buying a dehumidifier will not make radon go away.

Does rain affect radon testing?

In short, yes, radon concentrations are predicted to be slightly higher within your home on rainy days. The weather is one of the most important factors in radon levels. Weather changes, especially severe weather, can modify pressure differences and, as a result, the way radon enters your home. Radon levels in a home typically rise after specific weather events, such as storms. Strong winds, for example, can cause radon levels to rise or fall. Depending on the situation, weather events can cause your radon levels to rise or decline. Weather has a number of effects on your test, and it's impossible to forecast which ones.

Do open windows affect radon testing?

It's vital to remember that while testing for radon, the house must be completely closed up – that’s why is it best to test in the fall and winter months. The test will be invalid if any outside doors or windows are open.

Does opening doors reduce radon?

Opening windows to minimise radon levels isn't a viable long-term strategy. Open windows, can minimise radon in the short term, allowing you to stay in your home safely until you can build a permanent solution.

Can air purifiers reduce radon?

Air cleaners or purifiers are machines that filter or electrostatically remove particulates from the air, such as dust or radon decay products. Air cleaners are routinely used to condition indoor air for several health benefits and overall comfort in the home, and attempts have been made to market air cleaners to prevent radon decay. Mold, dust, allergies, germs and viruses, and odours are all things that air purifiers can help with, but there are manufacturers that claim they may also aid with poisons, gases, and compounds like radon. An activated carbon filter is the most effective form of air filter and, according to some research, can help in reducing radon levels. However, this technology has not been proven to help decrease the health concerns associated with radon.  The EPA does not recommend using air cleaners to reduce radon decay products in indoor air at this time. Although air cleaners will remove some radon decay products, numerous issues remain about the relative health effects of the decay products that aren't removed and the possible impacts of the radon decay products' undiminished source. The EPA feels there is insufficient evidence to recommend the installation of air cleaners to lower the risk of exposure to radon and its decay products until additional data is available.

Are portable radon detectors accurate?

There are definitely several reliable portable radon detectors. If fact, Ecosense EcoCube and Radon Eye are in the top 10 Radon Detection Devices by Best Review Guide for 2022.


Can radon cause mental illness?

For many people, radon does not directly cause psychological disorders. However, the potential of radon in your home can cause anxiety and restless thoughts about the prospective health risks of living in a home with a high radon level. New research is being conducted every day, and there are university studies looking into linking Radon exposure to early on-set Alzheimer’s.

Do Ceiling fans reduce radon?

Ceiling fans do not reduce radon. In fact, if the blades on the fan are pulling air upwards it could actually increase the radon levels very slightly.

Does every house have radon?
Every home has some radon, although concentration levels differ from one home to the next, even if they are near to each other. The only way to know how much is to test for Radon.

Extra care must be taken to seal around the pipe where it penetrates the Radon Block engineered membrane.