Huron Perth Public Well being is as soon as once more calling on space residents to check their properties for a lung most cancers inflicting fuel.
Radon, an odourless, colourless, and tasteless fuel, can slip into properties unnoticed by way of cracks within the basis or flooring, gaps round pipes and cables, or sumps and drains. It’s produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and rocks and long-term publicity to excessive ranges of the fuel is the second-leading explanation for lung most cancers after smoking, in line with the well being unit.
“Radon gas can be found at low levels in many homes across Ontario,” Public Health Inspector Dana Merrifield said in a statement released on Monday. “Testing is an important step towards protecting your health and is the only way to know how much radon may be present indoors.”
The health unit added that winter is the best time to test for radon as doors and windows are kept closed during the chilly months. The long-term test monitors indoor air for a minimum of three months. It is recommended, the testing device be placed in the lowest level of the home where residents spend a minimum of four hours a day in order to get the most accurate reading.
“Once you know the levels of radon in your home, you can take steps to lessen the risks and protect your health,” stated Merrifield.
The Canadian Guideline for radon is 200 Bq/m 3.
As November is Radon Motion Month, Well being Canada shall be mailing postcards to pick areas the place earlier testing discovered one to a few % of properties to have excessive radon ranges. The mailing of postcards will run by way of January.
Radon assessments, authorized by Well being Canada, could be discovered at www.takeactiononradon.ca or by calling the well being unit at 1-888-221-2133 ext. 3670.