Consumers looking to assess their residence’s radon levels now have a variety of radon monitors to choose from, available for purchase online or in retail outlets. However, experts caution that a significant number of these devices are ineffective.
Pam Warkentin, the executive director of the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST), which oversees the certification program in partnership with Health Canada, highlighted the issue of consumers unknowingly using uncertified or faulty radon monitors. She emphasized the importance of relying on approved devices for accurate results.
Investing in substandard radon monitors can result in wasted resources and time. These electronic monitors can be quite pricey, with testing typically recommended for a minimum of three months. Warkentin recounted an incident where a homeowner unknowingly used a recalled monitor after purchasing multiple devices for family members.
According to Warkentin, using unreliable devices poses a serious health hazard as it may mislead homeowners about their actual radon exposure levels. This misinformation could deter individuals from taking necessary measures to mitigate radon, a hazardous gas that can lead to lung cancer over time.
With millions of Canadian households potentially facing elevated radon levels, it is crucial for homeowners to use certified and accurate radon monitors to ensure their safety and well-being.
It is essential for individuals to conduct proper radon testing in their homes using reliable monitors. Health Canada recommends testing for an extended period, especially during winter when homes are typically sealed, potentially resulting in higher radon readings.
“Predicting radon levels is challenging, and everyone should undergo testing,” emphasized Warkentin, who also serves as a project manager for Canada’s Take Action On Radon program.
Conducting Radon Testing
Health Canada recommends testing your home for three months or more, and ideally during the winter months when homes are sealed up and radon readings can be highest.
“There’s no way to predict it,” said Warkentin, who is also a project manager for Canada’s Take Action On Radon awareness program. “Everybody just needs to test.”