The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit says this is your last chance to get a free radon kit.
The health unit launched its "Radon: Know Your Level Study" on November 1 and had 1,000 radon test kits to distribute for free to eligible homeowners as part of their study in order to educate locals about the dangers of radon gas.
Radon gas is produced naturally when uranium in the soil and rock break down. It can get into your home through cracks, spaces around pipes, floor drains, sump pumps, etc. You cannot smell, see, or taste the gas, so there is no way to tell if radon levels in your home are dangerous unless you have a kit.
A study conducted by Health Canada in 2011 found that 13.8% of homes tested in the Windsor-Essex area had radon levels over the Canadian Guideline of 200 bq/m3. This is 1.7 times higher than the provincial average.
Radon is the leading environmental cause of lung cancer and kills around 3,200 Canadians annually.
"Radon gas is in nearly every home across Canada and can be very dangerous to your health, yet many people have never tested for it in their own homes," said Chantelle Botscheller, health promotion specialist for WECHU. "Our goal is to raise awareness about radon and encourage all homeowners to test their homes this year to find out their levels."
The higher your radon level, the sooner your home should be fixed. While the Canadian Guideline recommends you should take action to fix your home if your level is above 200 bq/m3, there is no level of radon exposure that is considered risk-free.
There is only one week left to apply for the study. You can apply online, in person, or by phone. Windsor residents who are interested in participating will be required to complete a survey application. Those selected for the study will be contacted and receive a free radon test kit.
For more information, visit www.wechu.org or call the Health Unit at (519)-258-2146 ext. 1454.
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By Danielle Gagnier, St. Clair College Journalism Student
