This November, local residents are encouraged to take advantage of low-cost radon testing kits, available through Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) for a limited time only. Testing your home for radon is easy, and one of the most important things you can do to protect your health since radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada. Radon is a gas that can enter your home through cracks in the basement, sump pumps, floor drains, or any other opening where the house contacts the soil. You cannot taste, smell or see radon and you cannot predict the level of radon in your home – the only way to know is to test.
“We are all spending more time at home these days, which means it is more important than ever to ensure radon levels in your home are safe”, says Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Acting Medical Officer of Health at HPEPH. “Since the age or location of a house can’t predict the level of radon, any house could be at risk, and the only way to know the radon level in your home is to test.”
Until November 30, a limited number of radon kits are available from HPEPH at the reduced cost of $15. Purchase your radon kit online at https://hpepublichealth.ca/radon-test-kits/ . The kit will measure radon levels in your home over a three to 12-month period. If identified results are above the Health Canada maximum of 200 Bq/m3, HPEPH can offer guidance regarding next steps. Radon test kits are also available through many local hardware stores.
HPEPH conducted a study of radon levels in local homes in late 2019 and early 2020, which identified that 15 per cent of participating homes had radon levels above Health Canada’s recommended maximum. A report summarizing the complete findings will be shared with the HPEPH Board of Health and posted on the HPEPH website in December.
Additional information about the risks of radon are available at https://hpepublichealth.ca/radon/. For more information about the study, email radon@hpeph.ca.
