Rockwood and Stonewall residents are invited to learn more about radon — including the levels right in their own homes.
Both municipalities are participating in the 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge funded by Health Canada — and 100 Rockwood residents will be eligible to receive a free radon test kit to test their own home. Through this challenge, Take Action on Radon is distributing 100 free radon test kits to raise awareness about the health risks associated with radon in the lead-up to National Radon Awareness Month in November.
Through the 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge, participants place the detectors in their homes for at least 91 days, although a longer duration is also fine. When the program wraps up in February, participants will return the detectors to a collection point in the community. After that, a community liaison will ship the entire box back to Take Action Radon so they can process the detectors.
After the kits are sent back, each resident receives a report indicating whether radon was detected and at what level. The municipalities will also receive a community report letting them know how many homes returned their kit and the percentage of homes that tested above Health Canada’s recommended guideline.
Radon is a radioactive gas released by the breakdown of uranium in the soil. It is odourless, tasteless and colourless, and it can enter buildings and enclosed spaces undetected. Since Canadian homes are sealed against the weather, radon can become trapped indoors and build up to dangerous levels. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon damages DNA in lung tissue and is currently leading to more than 3,000 Canadian deaths each year — more than the combined toll of car collisions, house fires, carbon monoxide poisoning and drowning.
Rockwood Reeve Wes Taplin said council wants to equip residents with opportunities to gain knowledge and tools that could help protect themselves and their families.
“Radon could have serious health impacts if left unchecked. That’s why the 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge is such a valuable opportunity for Rockwood — it gives households a chance to learn about radon, understand the risks and take action right at home,” Taplin said.
“We encourage residents to join in, take part in the information sessions and pick up a test kit so together we can make the homes in our municipality healthier and safer.”
Stonewall Coun. Kim Newman has also been championing the program in the community.
“After learning about this program, I thought it was a great opportunity to help families test their homes for radon,” she said. “It’s a simple but important step that families can take to protect themselves.”
Dr. Anne-Marie Nicol, a researcher from Simon Fraser University’s faculty of sciences, said that radon is well-established human carcinogen.
“Testing and reducing radon levels is an important method of lung cancer prevention,” Nicol said. “Residential radon is marked as Canadians’ primary exposure to radon. Preventing radon exposure will reduce the number of Canadians dying of lung cancer.”
Awareness is increasing in many areas across Canada, said Pam Warkentin, executive director of the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists and project manager for Take Action on Radon.
“Many people know that testing for radon is an important action in looking after their health,” Warkentin said. “If you tested for radon years ago, it may be time to test again. Or if you haven’t gotten around to it, this is your chance to stop putting it off and get your radon test.”
Although Canadians are becoming more aware of radon and its link to lung cancer in non-smokers, Warkentin said there’s still hesitancy before homeowners take steps to test and reduce their radon exposure.
“Reducing radon exposure saves lives,” she said, “and the 100 Test Kit Challenge is a great way for a community to come together and take action on radon.”
In Rockwood, a total of 100 free test kits are available to residents and they must sign up for the program at https://form.jotform.com/252746459996277 to participate. For those who pre-registered, the free kits will be available for pick up at the Rockwood municipal administration office (285 Main St. in Stonewall) from Friday, Nov. 7 to Friday, Nov. 14 during office hours (Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
In Stonewall, 100 test kits are also available to residents and they must sign up at https://form.jotform.com/252684078178267 to participate. Participants can pick up their radon test kit at Stonewall’s town hall (293 Main St.) from Friday, Nov. 7 to Friday, Nov. 14 during office hours (Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
Rockwood residents will have the chance to learn more at two upcoming radon information sessions. A virtual session will take place on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m., and details will be sent to those who pre-register. And an in-person information session will be held on Friday, Nov. 7 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Stony Mountain Community Centre (117 School Rd.).
For Stonewall residents, an online radon information session will take place on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. Information will be sent to those who pre-register.
To learn more about radon and how to test your home, visit TakeActionOnRadon.ca.
