Clarion Home Inspections believes that  all home purchases should include a radon test before the buyers move in.  We advise all our clients about the potential dangers of radon. After all, considering the possible health consequences to you and your family, we think the peace of mind gained from knowing your new home is safe is well worth the added expensense. Consider asking us to test the radon levels in your home as a part of a home inspection. 

Radon is a carcinogenic gas that is hazardous to inhale. In the open air, the amount of radon gas is very small and does not pose a health risk. However, in some confined spaces like basements and underground mines, radon can accumulate to relatively high levels and become a health hazard. Build-up of radon in homes is a health concern and many lung cancer cases are attributed to radon exposure each year. About 12% of lung cancers and more than 25,000 North Americans die of radon-related lung cancer each year.

Health Canada's studies show that high radon levels are not widespread in Canadian homes. However, it is difficult to predict the level in any one home without testing and dangerous levels of radion have been detected in homes in all regions of the country .

In the United States, the Surgeon General has issued a Health Advisory warning Americans about the health risk from exposure to radon in indoor air.  Dr. Phillip Carmona, the Nation's Chief Physician urged Americans to test their homes to find out how much radon they might be breathing.

You cannot see, smell, or taste radon. But it still may be a problem in your home.  When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer.  In fact, the Surgeon General of the United States has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today.  If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

Testing is the only way to find out your home's radon levels. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. If you find that you have high radon levels, there are ways to fix a radon problem. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels. 

Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. In fact, you and your family are most likely to get your greatest radiation exposure at home. That is where you spend most of your time. Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level. Health Canada statistics for Canadian homes are not yet available.