Deadly radon gas was found at unacceptably high levels in one out of eight homes in the Calgary area, according to a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Researchers at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine tested radon gas levels in more than 2,300 homes in Calgary, Cochrane, Airdrie, Okotoks, High River and Redwood Meadows.
The results show the known cancer-causing gas is a growing public health concern in southern Alberta, said the study's lead author, Aaron Goodarzi.
"Every region we looked at had houses above 200 becquerels per cubic metre," he said. "Beyond that, cancer risk is very certain and homeowners are advised strongly to mitigate their home."
Goodarzi radon gas study u of c
Fintan Stanley, left, and Aaron Goodarzi, right, at the Cumming School of Medicine found that one in eight Calgary homes exceed Health Canada’s acceptable radon level, a radioactive gas that has been linked to lung cancer. (Riley Brandt)
A becquerel is the unit scientists use to measure the number of radioactive decays of radon atoms. According to Health Canada, the acceptable level of radon in the average home is 200 becquerels per cubic metre (200 Bq/m³), while the World Health Organization sets the acceptable level at 100 becquerels per cubic metre (100 Bq/m³).
Goodarzi said one in two Calgary-area homes are in "the danger zone" with levels over 100 becquerels per cubic metre.