November is National Radon Action Month, a chance to remind all Canadians that they should be testing their homes for radon.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking and kills more than 3,200 Canadians every year. It is a colourless, tasteless radioactive gas that occurs naturally, and is found in every home. It can accumulate to high levels and causes a health risk with long-term exposure. The only way to tell if the radon level in your home is high enough to be dangerous is to test for it. Radon levels fluctuate but are usually highest in the fall and winter, so now is a good time to test. If you find radon levels are above the Canadian guideline (200 Bq/m3), you will want to hire a professional certified under the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (www.c-nrpp.ca) to help reduce radon levels in your home.
REAL began lending radon meters in the summer of 2018. We now have five short term radon meters available, three in Smiths Falls and two in the Perth area. Contact Katie Hoffman at (613) 983-3360 or [email protected] to find out more. Note that at times there will be a waiting list, and that the meters are not available at the REAL Deal Store. Consult our website for more information. If you find high levels you will want to retest with a longer term radon meter or consult a professional.
More information and longer term radon meters are available through the Health Unit.
