Pollution is an inescapable part of modern life, but it’s generally something we associate with factory smoke and gridlocked highways. However, our risk of illness and disease is disproportionately affected by the last thing most expect: how much time we spend indoors. Air quality testing in Toronto with Inch by Inch is a safe and effective way to gauge how indoor air pollution affects your health and wellness. Whether you need radon testing or asbestos testing in Toronto, paying close attention to your indoor environment can pay off in the long term.
What is Radon?
You may have heard a neighbour mention that they’re getting radon testing — but what is it, and why is it so concerning to health officials? Radon gas is formed deep in the earth’s surface by decaying uranium. As it breaks down, the uranium releases radon, an invisible, scentless radioactive gas that then floats through the ground to the surface.
Why should you be worried about radon gas in Toronto? Radon gas is the second-most leading cause of lung cancer across North America. Radon gas is breathed into the lungs, where it continues to decay, damaging sensitive lung tissue and causing inflammation. Because it’s impossible to know it’s there without professional testing, radon gas exposure over even a short period can cause irreversible lung damage.
How Does Radon Get In Your Home?
For centuries, radon gas wasn’t a huge problem — it usually dissipates harmlessly into the atmosphere when it reaches the surface. But it’s the way we build our homes, with partially or entirely underground basements, that cause radon gas to enter our homes. The basement’s difference in air pressure acts like a magnet to pull radon gas in from the surrounding soil, resulting in high indoor concentrations.
Radon gas enters your basement through cracks in the foundation, construction joists, piping, sump pumps, floor drains, and window casements.
How Do You Know if Radon Is in the Home?
You can’t smell, see or hear it, which means that the only way to know if you have radon gas in your home is to have a professional radon test. This passive test usually lasts 3-6 months and measures the fluctuating levels of radon gas in your home to determine whether your home exceeds safe limits.
How to Test and Improve Your Air Quality
Unless you specially ask for it, many companies doing air quality testing in Toronto don’t look for radon gas and instead focus on other air quality issues like lead, VOCs, or asbestos. The best way to test for radon is to book a specialized radon test with Inch by Inch. We’ll install our testing equipment and help you determine where radon gas could be getting in. If your test returns a positive result, we can help suggest mitigation strategies to safeguard you and your family. To learn more about Inch by Inch and services like radon testing, mold testing, or asbestos testing in Toronto, reach out through our contact page for more information.