November is Radon Action Month

Huron Perth, ON – November is Radon Action Month in Canada. Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) is encouraging residents to test their homes for radon.

Radon is a radioactive gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in the soil and rocks.  Radon gas can seep into homes through cracks in foundation floors and walls, or through sumps and drains. Radon is most often found in basements and poorly ventilated areas. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada after smoking. Radon has no smell, taste or colour, so the only way to know if there is radon in a home is to test for it.

“Radon gas can be found at low levels in many homes across Ontario. Testing is an important step towards protecting your health and is the only way to know how much radon may be present indoors,” says Dana Merrifield, Public Health Inspector at HPPH. “If you test and find radon levels above the Canadian guideline of 200 Bq/m3, work with a certified radon mitigation specialist to implement strategies to reduce radon in your home,” she adds.

HPPH recommends that residents test their homes for radon using a long-term test since levels can vary from day to day and month to month. Winter is a good time to test for radon because doors and windows are usually kept closed. A long-term test monitors indoor air for a minimum of three months. To obtain the most accurate results from radon testing, the device must be placed in the lowest level of the home, where homeowners spend a minimum of four hours per day.

Visit the Take Action on Radon website, www.takeactiononradon.ca, to find Health Canada-approved tests, or call HPPH at 1-888-221-2133 ext 3670.