I have been wondering why radon isn’t on the radar of New
Brunswickers. According to a Health Canada study released in 2012, New
Brunswick homes have the highest radon levels in the country yet you don’t hear
much about it.
But across the border in Maine, my brother routinely tests
clients’ homes for radon because public awareness of the dangers of the gas in
homes is high.
That 2012 Health Canada study found that almost 25% of the
New Brunswick homes participating in the cross-Canada study had radon levels
above the Health Canada guidelines of 200 Bq/m3. When the data was sifted by
population the study concluded that 20% of New Brunswickers live in homes with
radon concentrations above the Health Canada guidelines.
What’s the worry?
- Exposure to radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
- It’s estimated that 10% of lung cancer deaths in NB are associated with radon exposure.
- If you’re a smoker and live in a home with radon concentrations are higher than the Health Canada guidelines the odds are not in your favour.
- If you’re not a smoker but are exposed to a high level of radon your lifetime lung cancer risk is 1 in 20.
