Reduce Exposure to Radon – Cancer Care, MB.
What is radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is released into the air during the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. Radon is invisible, tasteless, and has no smell. There is no known safe level of radon exposure but reducing levels in our home below the national guideline, decreases your risk of lung cancer.
Which cancers can be prevented?
As radon breaks down, it forms radioactive particles that are breathed in, then releases energy that can damage your lungs and lead to lung cancer.
Exposure to high levels of radon can increase your risk for lung cancer. The risk of cancer depends on the amount of radon a person is exposed to and how long a person is exposed. According to Health Canada, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who do not smoke, and it increases the risk of lung cancer for people who do smoke. Radon exposure is linked to approximately 16% of lung cancer deaths in Canada.
As an example, we could prevent around 180 cancer cases in 2038 if all Manitobans reduced high levels of radon in their homes, starting today.