Health officials urge people to test their homes for radon

Since November is Radon Awareness Month, Grey Bruce Health Unit officials are urging you to test your home for radon. Radon test kits are available free from the health unit as part of the awareness campaign.

Radon exposure is the second-leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking. An estimated 20 per cent of lung cancer deaths in Grey-Bruce were due to radon.

A naturally-occurring radioactive gas that may accumulate in a home, radon is colourless and odourless. It can enter a home anywhere there is contact with the ground, such as basements.

Testing is the only way to know if radon is present. Test kits are left in a home for three months. They are then mailed, in the envelope provided, for analysis and results are sent back. All homes regardless of age, single or multi-storey, slab or with basement can have radon.

A radon map (below), created in 2011, shows potential areas of risk, including parts of Grey and Bruce Counties.



Free radon test kits are available, while supplies last, at:
 

• Grey Bruce Health Unit: 101 17th Street East, Owen Sound
• South East Grey Community Health Centre: 44 Victoria St., Markdale
• Lion’s Head Family Health Team: 24 Moore St., Lion's Head
• Huron-Kinloss Municipal Office: 21 Queen St., Ripley
• Town of Hanover: 341 10th St., Hanover
• West Grey Municipal Office: 402813 Rd 4, Durham
• Town of Blue Mountains: 32 Mill St., Thornbury
• Municipality of Arran-Elderslie: 1925 Bruce Road 10, Chesley
• Municipality of Brockton: 100 Scott Street, Walkerton