Services to help realtors and homeowners with air quality issues in homes and buildings. We have a variety of skilled and experienced staff that can assist in any of the following areas. Please contact us if you have questions about:
- Asbestos in Building Materials
- Vermiculite Insulation Testing for Asbestos Contamination
- Mold Spores in the Air and on Surfaces
- Lead in Paint
- Renovations – Clearance Testing of Asbestos Fibres / Mold Spores in Air
- Indoor Air Quality including Volatile Organic Compounds, Formaldehyde, other
Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that can seep into a home from the surrounding soil and bedrock. It is odorless and cannot be detected, except by specialized testing methods. Radon is associated with increased risk of developing lung cancer. Many homes in Canada contain some level of radon. The current Health Canada guideline indicates that indoor radon levels should not exceed 200 Bq per cubic meter of indoor air. Testing is fairly simple and affordable. A small radon sampler is installed. The collector is easily deployed in the home and requires no special training. A simple set of instructions explains how to open and close the unit and where to place the collector to get the best results. The monitor is mailed to the lab for analysis.
Health Canada and The Radiation Safety Institute recommend long-term tests (3 months) for the best results, but short term testing (1 week) can also be performed. The ideal time for testing is during the winter in the heating season when houses are closed and radon is more likely to accumulate.
If high levels of radon are detected in a house, steps can be taken to eliminate it. Getting the house tested is a first step. Fixing the problem can usually be done at a reasonable cost.
