November is Radon Action Month

During National Radon Action Month, KFL&A Public Health is encouraging all residents to test their homes for radon.

Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in rocks and soils. You cannot see, taste or smell radon. It can enter buildings through cracks in foundation floors and walls, gaps in pipes, open floor drains, or any other area of exposed soil. In confined spaces like a home, radon can build up to high levels becoming a health risk. The likelihood of high radon cannot be predicted by the age or location of a home; all homes are at risk.

“Results collected from KFL&A Public Health’s Radon Testing Study in 2019 showed that over 20 per cent of homes had radon levels above Health Canada’s guideline,” said Erin Hayes, Public Health Promoter at KFL&A Public Health. “The only way to know the radon level in your home is to test for it.”

Breathing in high levels of radon for many years can lead to lung cancer. In Canada, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. The best time to test your home for radon is during the winter months when windows and doors remain closed. Radon testing is simple and inexpensive.

To learn more about radon and to purchase a radon test, visit kflaph.ca/radon.

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