Radon : what actions can I take to reduce my exposure ?
How to know the Radon concentration in my home
The only way to determine the Radon concentration in your home is to take measurements using detectors (Radon dosimeters) that you install yourself. A Radon dosimeter is a “screening” device in a building. It measures the Radon concentration in the air in each room. This device performs a so-called “integrated” measurement. It works similarly to a camera.
For the results obtained to be representative of the average concentrations to which you are exposed in your home, measurements should be taken in the most regularly occupied rooms (during the day and also at night), over a period of several weeks, and preferably during a heating season (winter).
At which concentration is it necessary to act?
Radon activity concentration, more commonly known as concentration, is expressed in Bq/m³ (Becquerels per cubic meter). In 2018, French regulations set a reference level of 300 Bq/m³ as an annual average to address the Radon problem. If the concentration exceeds this reference level, action is recommended to reduce the Radon level (ventilation, minor repairs, sealing cracks, etc.).
Radon concentration depends on the occupancy level and the lifestyles of the people present in the home: during the day, the doors are open, people go out, and the house is ventilated. At night, however, Radon accumulates.
I have detected Radon in my home : What should I do?
There are several solutions to reduce the Radon concentration in your home :
- Ventilate and air out the entire house, primarily the basement and, if possible, the crawl space.
- Reinforce the waterproofing of the floor/building interface (slabs) if necessary.
Proper ventilation (power, efficiency) is a good way to avoid high Radon concentrations in a home.
If problems arise, more drastic solutions should be considered. More information is available on the Ministry of Health website.
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