ALS provides the analytical expertise required to help you determine the level of radon gas present in homes and buildings and ensure your exposure levels are below health guidelines.
Radon is a colourless, odourless, naturally occurring radioactive gas. It is produced from the degradation of uranium found commonly in soils and rocks in many regions of the world. With a half-life of only 3.8 days, radon decays to short-lived radioisotopes like polonium-218 and polonium-214 (alpha particle emitters), which can cause damage to bronchial and lung tissue in humans or animals if inhaled.
A known carcinogen, radon is estimated to cause 10% of all lung cancers worldwide. A common misconception is that radon affects only older homes, but in fact radon can infiltrate most types of building foundations. Because radon is a gas, it can easily migrate through soil pore spaces and through cracks in foundations. It tends to concentrate in poorly ventilated indoor spaces, particularly in basements and ground floor areas.
ALS provides electret ion chamber detectors for short-term (2-7 days) and long-term (30-90 days) exposure tests. Because radon levels tend to vary from day to day and seasonally, a short-term test can determine whether additional measurements are needed, but may not be sufficient to determine year-round radon exposure levels.
CONTACT
1329 Niakwa Rd East, Unit 12
Winnipeg, MB Canada R2J 3T4
Phone: +1 204 255 9720
SAMPLING
- Contact ALS to order the sampling media.
- Place in a location where it will not be disturbed.
- At least 20 inches above the floor (can be higher). The S chamber model has a loop that will allow you to hang it from the ceiling.
- At least 3 feet from an opening in an exterior wall that could allow air in. It can be further from openings, like in the center of the room.
- At least 12 inches from an exterior wall where no openings exist
- Have at least 4 inches of space around it to allow radon or radon decay products in. If you sit it on a bookshelf, keep it 4 inches or more from the back of the cabinet.
- Place out of direct air drafts. Keep away from forced air ductwork, ceiling fans, etc.
- Do not position where direct sunlight could strike the device
Short-Term Measurements (2 to 90 days)
- Real Estate: Lowest level of the home that could be occupied, regardless if it is currently occupied or finished
- Non Real Estate: Lowest occupied level of the home
- Large Buildings: In each frequently occupied room in contact with soil or directly above soil (1/2000 sq feet)
Building Conditions
Closed House Conditions: All exterior doors and windows closed (other than normal entry and exit) during the test period. Closed house conditions must be maintained for 12 hours prior to start the test unless the test is four or more days in duration.
Long-Term Measurements (91 to 365 days)
In a frequently occupied room, or in a room where previous short-term test had indicated a potential concern. No special conditions for operating the building.