A message from “Take Action on Radon”: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Prevention starts at home: Test your home for radon with a free test kit & PROTECT your family from lung cancer
October 1, 2021
We are inviting all residents of Clearwater, Barriere, Vavenby, Blue River and surrounding areas, to participate in the 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge which is a program that provides free radon test kits to all residents. All participants in the program are encouraged to attend the Radon Information Session to learn more about the health effects of radon, why it’s a concern in our area, and Health Canada recommendations. The information session will also provide all participants with details on where and when to pick up your radon detector.
Take Action on Radon, is a coalition of national health organizations, with a goal of raising awareness on the dangers of radon gas and we are pleased to be able to offer free radon test kits to residents.
The leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, radon gas can be found in elevated concentrations in homes across the country. While Canada has had a National Radon Plan for over a decade, many Canadians remain unaware of the deadly gas.
Melissa McGarry of School District No. 73 has been responsible for testing radon in schools, “After learning about this program, I thought it was a great opportunity to help families test their homes for radon. I’m excited to coordinate and support the roll out this program for these communities along with key stakeholders and organizations. “
“Radon is a well-established human carcinogen and testing and reducing radon levels is an important method of lung cancer prevention.” says Dr. Anne-Marie Nicol, a researcher from the Faculty of Sciences from Simon Fraser University, “Residential radon is marked as Canadians’ primary exposure to radon; preventing radon exposure will reduce the number of Canadians dying of lung cancer.”
‘Testing for radon is simple to do, and there are effective solutions available to reduce radon levels in homes where radon levels are elevated,” says Pam Warkentin, Executive Director of CARST and Project Manager, Take Action on Radon. “The first step is to know your radon level. Every home needs to test for radon – it’s that simple.”
For citizens of Clearwater, Barriere, Vavenby, Blue River and surrounding areas, now is the perfect time to Take Action on Radon. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the program at https://takeactiononradon.ca/100-radon-test-kit-challenge/ Be sure to register for the community most convenient for you to pick up your radon test kit. The free Radon Information Session will occur online: Wednesday, October 13 at 7pm. Participants will be able to pick up their radon test the following days at a location within each community.