Is your family silently being exposed to dangerous levels of cancer-causing radon? A recent study showed that 1 in 8 Alberta homes exceeded Canada’s maximum acceptable radon limits, so the answer may be yes (source: Robson DNA Science Centre Network). And don’t think your newly-built home is exempt – in fact, it’s actually more likely to be affected since they are built more airtight and don’t let out the gas as well as older homes.
Accurate radon testing takes 90 days, so it’s hard to determine if a home is affected right before buying or selling. If you’re a buyer, this means it’s nearly impossible to include radon testing as a timely condition in your purchase contract. Many inspectors say they can do a “quick test,” but leading research says these are horribly inaccurate. The good news? Test kits are about $60 and the remedy usually costs less than $3000.
If you’re a homeowner, you may consider having your home tested for radon now (and remediated if needed), even if you’re not yet considering selling your home. This way when the time does come to sell, you can confidently disclose to potential buyers that radon is not an issue while ensuring your home is safe for you and your family.
For more information, talk to your Realtor or visit www.evictradon.ca.
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