RADON: THE SILENT KILLER

Radon is a gas that is formed from the breakdown of uranium in the soil. Being a colorless, odourless, and tasteless gas makes it undetectable without testing which is very concerning. This gas seeps from the ground and takes the path easiest to travel so when it finds a crack in your foundation, gaps in service pipes, sump pits, and crawl spaces that make for an easy path, that is where it will enter most likely.

Why PEI Buyers Need to Pay Attention

PEI has some of the highest radon levels recorded in Atlantic Canada. The island's soil composition makes it particularly susceptible to elevated radon levels, and many homeowners have no idea it's even an issue. There are of course areas that seem to have higher levels then others but it’s not something you should take lightly as a resident of PEI.

Health Issues

Radon is said to be the second leading cause in lung cancer in Canada after smoking. Let that settle in for a second, this is no joking matter and people are being affected by it and not even knowing. Health Canada estimates 3,200 people in Canada die per year due to radon. This is exposure over years not days, so high exposure can most certainly be avoided by taking steps to protect your health & your families.

What Are Safe Levels & What Can You Do To Mitigate

Radon is measured in Becquerels per cubic metre and as per Health Canada guidelines, they say anything below 200 Becquerels is ok. The lower the level the better of course. There are a few ways to mitigate this but it really comes down to depressurization where a path is created for the radon to take that pushed the gas outside the house. Now I have seen many new builds recently and they are technically by code suppose to have a whole built into the foundation for this pat to which you can connect a system to push the gas outside. Be sure if this is something you are concerned about and building that this is an option for you.

Testing — What You Need to Know as a Buyer & Homeowner

Testing can be completed and there are two different test methods, one short term and one long term. The long term one takes about 90 days or more but is more accurate where the short term test can take 2-7 days to provide you a quick snapshot or the levels. The cost to test is fairly minimal, it typically is more time consuming if anything.

Key Takeaways for PEI Home Buyers & Home Owners

• Always test — never assume a home is safe without data.
• Make radon testing part of your home inspection process.
• Use results as a negotiating tool if remediation is needed.
• Test every few years as levels can change.
• Basement and ground floor spaces typically have the highest levels — especially important if those spaces are lived in regularly.