Dear Editor,
Re: Radon scientist urges testing amid high levels, April 24
Upon relocating to Okotoks in 2021, we purchased a new home in the D’Arcy Ranch area from Sterling Homes. During our initial exploration of the basement, we noticed a white pipe protruding from the concrete slab labeled "Radon."
Intrigued, I inquired with the builder about its purpose, to which they casually explained it was a pre-plumbed pipe designed to facilitate radon removal from beneath the slab.
Initially reassured, I decided to dive deeper into the matter and invested in a radon gas detector. Leaving it in the basement for a week, I began to educate myself about radon, discovering with surprise that Alberta ranked as the province with the highest number of homes affected by radon gas in Canada. Quite concerning.
The radon detector we installed in our unfinished basement in the fall of 2021 recorded a reading of 19.8 pCi/L (732.6 Bq/m³), a significant tenfold increase over the minimum threshold of 2 pCi/L.
Promptly responding to the alarming readings, I engaged a radon mitigation company. Its intervention included resealing the juncture of the concrete slab with the basement walls, filling the open space beneath the furnace with concrete, and installing an electric air pump connected to the radon pipe protruding from the slab. This electric pump now operates continuously, venting collected air from under the slab to the exterior.
The total expense incurred amounted to $2,000.
Reflecting on my experience, I pondered the implications. Colin Dumais, a co-author of the 2017 Radon Gas Study, sparked my curiosity regarding the dissemination of study results to the Town of Okotoks and its council for consideration. If authorities had been made aware of the radon threat, proactive measures could have been taken to mandate the inclusion of radon evacuation systems in all new homes in Okotoks.
It struck me as perplexing that builders install radon pipes yet often neglect to connect them to pumps. Could this omission stem from concerns about additional costs? Surely, the nominal expense of an electric pump could be integrated into the home's price, ultimately benefiting the buyer.
Shouldn't ensuring the safety of Okotoks residents be a shared priority for the Town of Okotoks, council and builders?
While the 2017 study offered valuable insights into Alberta's elevated radon gas levels, particularly in areas like Cochrane, Okotoks and High River, its efficacy appears limited. Instead of empowering homeowners with actionable solutions, it seems to serve more as a tool to instill fear and promote remediation services.
Considering the welfare of Okotoks residents, one must question why the Town has yet to mandate the installation of radon air pumps by builders prior to final home inspections. This raises important considerations for the community's well-being moving forward.
Martin Sladek
Okotoks
