- There are several gases that
naturally occur in soil
- Carbon Dioxide
- Nitrogen
- Oxygen
- Methane
- Radon
- Radon is of most concern since
it is radioactive and has been linked to cancer
- It is naturally occurring and
can enter the basement of a home and remain there increasing in
concentration over time
- Radon is a colourless,
odourless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the
environment
- It comes from the natural
breakdown of uranium in soils and rocks
- Very low levels in the great
outdoors, but trapped in houses it builds up
- An increase in exposure to radon
has been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer,
depending on concentration and exposure time