High radon levels found in New Brunswick, study says

A new Health Canada study has found radon levels are much higher than previously thought and New Brunswick has one of the highest percentages in the country.

Health Canadatested 14,000 homes across the countryover a period of two years and it found that 20 per cent of homes in New Brunswick were above the recommended levels.

The recommended level of radon exposure by Health Canadais 200 Bq/m3 (becquerels per cubic metre) and18.7 per centlevels in New Brunswick were found to be between 200 and 600 Bq/m3.

Health Canada also found 6.1per cent of New Brunswick homes had levels of 600 Bq/m3 or higher the largest percentage in the country above 600 Bq/m3. Only the Yukon came close to that number at 5.8 per cent.

"The last place you'd expect to find a radioactive gaswould be inyour house," said Victor Nowicki, president of Arc Geobac Group.

Radon is colourless and odourless, so the only way to find out is to test.

"It's a matter of knowledge for people and we are trying to educate people so that they dotest their homes," he said.

Nowicki's been testing radon for three years, and sayslately business is picking up.

"More frequently, two to three calls a week. Sixor eight months ago, it may have been once a week, so knowledge of radon is just getting out to the public," he said.

Radon been a problem in New Brunswick for years.

The Health Canada study also suggests that consequences of radon contamination are more serious than previously believed.

Health officials now believe its responsible for 16 per cent oflung cancer cases in Canada.

Fortunately its not hard to find out if you're at risk.

Since 2008, the New Brunswick Lung Association has sent out 630 radon test kits. Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer right after smoking.

"The thing people dont realize is radon is everywhere, we are breathing it right now," said Roshini Kassie, environmental program manager for the lung association.

"The key is make sure you arent breathing very high concentrations of it over a long period of time."

The lung association says that everyone should buy a kit to test their own home.

"Everyone is going to have radon, the only way to know you have the high level is to test," Kassie said.

If levels are high, fixing it can be as simple as installing a vent or increasing airflow.