Radon for health professionals: Understanding radon and protecting your patients

What is radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas that escapes naturally from the ground, formed by breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks. Outdoors, radon is diluted and poses no risk. Indoors, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels. All homes in Canada have radon gas in them. Radon enters buildings through cracks in foundations, construction joints, gaps around pipes, and other openings. The Canadian guideline level for radon in indoor air is 200 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m³).

Health effects of radon

Radon is a Class 1 human carcinogen. Inhaling radon decay products can lodge them deep in the lungs, emitting ionizing radiation that damages lung tissues and leads to cancer.

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in Canada and has a low survival rate.

Long-term exposure to radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. Too many non-smokers do not think they are at risk of developing lung cancer. Smokers exposed to radon are at a much higher risk of lung cancer.

Figure 1 - Text description

The pie chart illustrates how radon-induced lung cancer compares to other health concerns. The annual death rate in Canada from exposure to radon-induced lung cancer is 3,200 deaths, higher than car accidents 1,898 deaths, carbon monoxide 300 deaths and house fires 109 deaths combined.

The risk of death from long term exposure to elevated levels of radon is higher than the combined risk of all common accidental deaths. We take precautions against accidental deaths by putting on our seatbelts, wearing lifejackets or ensuring that we have carbon monoxide and smoke detectors – Canadians should also be testing their homes for radon!

How health professionals can help

As trusted source for health guidance, health professionals can play a crucial role in educating patients about radon and encouraging them to test their homes. Here's how you can help:

1. Inform patients: Share the risks of radon exposure and the importance of testing homes, especially if they smoke or live with smokers.
2. Encourage testing and mitigation: Test your own home and advise patients to test their homes using a do-it-yourself kit or by hiring a professional. If radon levels are high, it can be fixed. Radon mitigation systems can reduce levels by over 90% and are cost-effective.
3. Support smoking cessation: Emphasize that quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of radon-induced lung cancer.

Radon testing and mitigation

• Testing: Long-term radon test kits are available online, by phone, or in stores. Certified professionals can also be hired for testing.
• Mitigation: Certified radon mitigation professionals can install systems to reduce radon levels. A typical mitigation system can be installed in less than a day.

Resources for health professionals

Health Canada works to raise awareness about radon, provide testing guidelines, conduct research, and develop protective measures.

• Training Course: Free radon course is available for continuing medical education through MacHealth
• Educational Materials: Free brochures, infographics, and detailed guides can be downloaded or ordered for patient education through Health Canada

For information about testing and mitigation visit Canada.ca/radon or call 1-833-723-6600