Image by AJ Batac
A couple in Winnipeg, Canada recently discovered that dangerous radon levels of 481 becquerels – about two and a half times the recommended limit set by the government – were present in their home. Worse yet, the home is actually managed by the Department of National Defence, and they knew about the problem and even dealt with it in the past.
Lindsay Olafson and her husband, an active military member, moved into the home back in 2012.
The Department of Defence Knew About the Dangerous Radon Levels in the Home
About three years before that the department found elevated and dangerous radon levels – which were nearly five times the recommended limit – they had a mitigation system installed to lower the concentration, but never told the Olafson family about it when they moved in.
“They wouldn’t put their family members in this house, so why would they put ours? It’s very disappointing and very unethical.”
Mrs. Olafson says that she’s afraid for her family, and rightfully so – radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
“It’s an awful feeling trying to fall asleep at night,” she said. “My husband and I could get sick from this and possibly die.”
The Appropriate Mitigation System Was Never Installed
The silliest part about the story is that the Department of Defence didn’t even use the proper form of mitigation for the situation. They told CBC News that they always mitigate homes by sealing cracks in the foundations and walls, in addition to installing a heat recovery ventilator. The department claims the system will reduce levels by 25 to 75 percent.
However, Bob Wood a radon expert operating out of Toronto says that a heat recovery ventilator is not always the best option. In fact, it wouldn’t even be his first choice for a mitigation system.
“With radon being a radioactive gas in a home, we want to make sure that the system that goes in is simply the best and takes little or no maintenance.” As it turns out, the heat ventilators need quite a bit of maintenance because they must be checked on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis.
Unfortunately for the Olafson’s, they were never educated on the ventilator system, nor told that it existed to reduce the presence of radon. As a result, Mr’s Olafson left the system off at times when it should actually have been running constantly.
“If they don’t tell people what they are for, then what’s the use? Your house is supposed to be a safe haven, not a silent killer. My husband helps keep the country safe, and in turn the [Canadian Forces Housing Agency] isn’t keeping us safe. [Our home] should be fixed so we can live here safely.”
The Department of National Defence declined to participate in an interview with CBC News, only stating that they will perform further testing of the Olafson house in fall, 2014. Olafson was not able to provide any further information on what the department plans to do in terms of fixing her home.
Via: CBC News
