Consumers seeking to assess their home’s radon levels now have a variety of radon monitors available for purchase online or in retail outlets. However, experts caution that many of these devices are ineffective.
According to Pam Warkentin, the executive director of the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST), numerous Canadians unknowingly install non-certified monitors, only to discover later that these devices lack approval or certification. Warkentin emphasized the importance of using reliable detectors to make informed decisions about radon levels.
Instances of wasted resources are common, with electronic monitors costing hundreds of dollars each and requiring a minimum testing period of three months. Warkentin recounted a case where a homeowner unknowingly used a recalled monitor for several months before realizing it was unreliable.
Such unreliable devices pose a serious public health threat as they fail to accurately indicate a building’s true radon level, potentially deterring homeowners from mitigating radon exposure, a leading cause of lung cancer in Canada.
It is estimated that millions of Canadian households have elevated radon levels, and radon-induced lung cancer claims approximately 3,200 lives annually.
Warkentin cautioned that misleading readings from faulty devices could lead homeowners to underestimate radon risks and neglect necessary precautions.
So, how can homeowners accurately test for radon and which monitors should they avoid?
Radon gas is invisible, toxic and millions of Canadians have no idea it’s hiding in their homes. For The National, CBC’s Lauren Pelley breaks down the health risks and what you can do to keep your home safe.
How to test for radon
Health Canada recommends testing your home for three months or more, preferably during the winter when homes are sealed, and radon levels may peak.
Warkentin, also a project manager for Canada’s Take Action On Radon program, stressed the importance of conducting regular tests, as radon levels in homes are unpredictable.
