November is Radon Action Month. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. It is easy to measure and easy to fix your home if the level is over the Canadian Guideline. Now is the time for Canadians to purchase radon detector kits and place them in their homes.
“RSIC has been dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of radon gas in people’s homes, businesses, schools and public buildings for many years. We are delighted to be a part of the National Take Action on Radon Campaign and encourage you to spend 3 minutes watching Mike Holmes talk about radon”, said Steve Mahoney, President of Radiation Safety Institute of Canada.
To reduce the risk of lung cancer for your family, it is easy to follow three simple steps. One: Purchase a long-term detector and follow the instructions. Two: Remember to mail the detector to the laboratory for analysis. Three: If your home is over the Guideline, have a certified radon professional fix your home.
Radon is a radioactive gas in the ground that you can’t see or smell. It can get into the home undetected through cracks in the foundation or gaps around pipes.
Radon is present in almost every home in Canada and the only way to know if the radon level is within the recommended guidelines is to conduct a test. The Institute offers a reliable, affordable and easy-to-use radon monitoring device. Simply go online or give us a call at 1-800-263-5803 (option 4) or 1-306-975-0566 (option 5) to take the first step towards reducing your risk of developing radon induced lung cancer.
Adding to the radon momentum in Canada, the star of the HGTV series Holmes Makes It Right, Mike Holmes, is working with The Lung Association, Health Canada and the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists to educate Canadians about radon through television and radio public service announcements that will be broadcast nationwide starting in November. The public service announcements can be viewed on the Take Action on Radon website at www.TakeActionOnRadon.ca, various radon partner websites and through television and radio stations across Canada.
Quick Facts
- Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
- Health Canada estimates that over 3000 (16%) of lung cancer deaths among Canadians are attributable to indoor radon exposure. Smokers exposed to radon are at significantly higher risk of lung cancer.
- The higher the radon level and the longer people are exposed to radon, the higher the risk.
- 7% of Canadians are living in homes with radon levels above the current radon guideline of 200 Bq/m3.Further information on Radon can be found on various websites including those of Health Canada, our website and at www.takeactiononradon.ca
