Norther Health Launches Radon Gas Strategy

Wednesday, September 23, 2009 03:50 AM

Prince George, B.C.- Northern Health is launching a new strategy to educate northern homeowners about the potential dangers of radon gas, and to encourage radon testing and mitigation.

“The radon strategy is part of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy to reduce the incidence of lung cancer in the North,” said Dr. Ronald Chapman, who is currently Acting Chief Medical Health Officer, in addition to his Executive Director role for the Northern Cancer Control Strategy.

Radon gas is a radioactive, colourless, odourless gas that is naturally found in the soil in many parts of the north. It can build up in the basements and lower levels of people’s homes where it can be inhaled and lead to lung cancer. Scientists have determined radon causes approximately 10% of all lung cancers worldwide, which is second only to smoking. Because radon cannot be smelled or seen, it is often termed the “silent killer.”

Northern Health’s new radon strategy will be carried out by the new Healthy Community Environments Lead, a position created as part of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy to focus on environmental cancer prevention. The strategy is being implemented in the Northern Interior and Northeast health service delivery areas, and will be rolled out across the Northwest in the coming months.

Testing a home for radon is the only way of detecting its presence. Testing is easy and inexpensive (ranging from $30 to $60). As part of the strategy, Northern Health is now offering radon test kits for $30, making it easier for homeowners in the North to test their homes. These are available at the Public Health Protection Offices in Prince George (4^th floor of the Native Friendship Centre), Quesnel (523 Front Street), and Vanderhoof (3299 Hospital Road). Once elevated radon concentrations have been detected in a home, there are several mitigation strategies available for homeowners.

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Posted on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 03:50 AM in Health by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: faxman on September 23 2009 8:21 AM

Small correction...It's $30.00 for the test kit if you don't work for Northern Health. If you work for Northern Health you can get your kit for only $20.00. That's right, the tax payers are subsidizing radon testing kits for Northern Health employees. 10 bucks may not seem like a lot but multiply that by the number of employees who'll take advantage of the offer and it adds up.

Posted by: Harbinger on September 23 2009 10:30 AM

All that nasty radon gas is all Gordon Campbells fault. Boo. Hiss. Down with Gordon Campbell. I feel better already.

Posted by: metalman on September 23 2009 5:45 PM

So if you have a buddy or a rel that is on the NHA payroll you can get your test kit at the discounted rate. NHA would not want the general public to get a lower price on something that could conceivably lower ones' risk of developing lung cancer.
But thanks faxman, for letting us know.
metalman.