Radon Test Kit Round Up Time
By 250 News
Friday, November 19, 2010 03:58 AM
Prince George, B.C. – Northern Health knows there are radon testing units scattered throughout Prince George, and it’s time to round them up and send them to the lab for analysis.
“We sold about 400 testing units when the program was launched last year, most were in Prince George, and so far about 80 have been returned” says Crystal Brown of Northern Health. The testing units should be left in place in a home for at least 6 months in order to collect accurate data, however, after 6 months, ( or ideally one year), people often have forgotten about the units and forget to send them back for data retrieval.
Of the 80 returned, about 21% showed radon levels above the Health Canada guideline (200Bq/m3 H). About 19% were at, or near, the guideline amount and the rest were well below the guideline level.
Homeowners who purchased a test kit between September 2009 and March 2010 are encouraged to submit the units for testing, by mailing the tester directly to the lab in the pre-marked envelope provided at time of purchase. More information on shipping options is also available by contacting the local health unit.
Prior to mailing,the tester should be sealed with the sticker provided in the original kit.
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. During the colder months, the migration of radon into people’s homes can increase as heating systems create negative air pressure conditions. 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.”
A study conducted by the BC Centre for Disease Control identified elevated radon concentrations in several northern communities located east of the Coast Mountains, including Prince George, Quesnel, Fort St. John, Fort Nelson, Atlin and Kitwanga.
Health Canada recommends that all homes in Canada be tested for radon gas since testing a home is the only way of detecting its presence.
As part of the radon strategy, Northern Health offers radon test kits for $30, making it easier for homeowners in the North to test their home. Kits are available for purchase at various Public Health Protection Offices across the North, or can be ordered via email, at radon@northernhealth.ca. Once elevated radon concentrations have been detected in a home, there are several mitigation strategies available for homeowners.
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Posted by: He spoke on November 19 2010 8:00 AM