Fifteen percent of Hastings Prince Edward homes, tested a couple of years ago, were found to be positive for a radioactive gas.
A report to the Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health on Wednesday pointed out that the gas, radon, is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
It is a colourless, odourless radioactive gas.
Breakdown of uranium in soil and rock creates radon.
Radon enters homes in areas exposed to soil and rock that contain uranium.
A total of 519 homes completed the test in this area in 2019 and 2020.
Fifteen percent had radon levels at or above Heath Canada’s threshold.
In his report to the board, Healthy Environments program manager Andrew Landy noted that radon enters a house through cracks in the basement, sump pumps, and floor drains.
Homeowners can buy a low-cost test kit to test for radon in their houses.
The report notes that sealing off cracks or installing ventilation systems can reduce exposure.
Landy notes the study consisted of a convenience sample and cannot accurately portray the prevalence of radon in all households within the Hastings Prince Edward area.
However, it does highlight that high levels of radon exist in homes in the area.
However, it does highlight that high levels of radon exist in homes in the area.
