The Trail Area Health & Environment Program is one of many programs in the Lower Columbia region that supports families with young children. We have a special focus on the family health and home & yard health and safety.

In this post, we would like to let you know about radon and how to test for it in your home. Radon is an important environmental health issue that all parents should know about.

Bottom line: Everyone should test their home! It’s simple and inexpensive to test. We have test kits for a $15 donation to cover costs. If there’s a radon issue, it can be fixed.

Here are the details:

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in homes. Radon cannot be smelled, tasted or seen. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking; the combination of smoking and radon greatly increases risks. There are homes in the West Kootenay where radon levels test very high and others where they don’t. The levels in your home cannot be predicted based on test results from your neighbours.

Radon Gas Illustration 1

Image courtesy of the Lung Association http://www.radonaware.ca

The main source of radon in homes is through soil gas. Gases in soil get into homes because the air pressure in a home is typically lower than in the soil around the foundation. When air is pushed out of the house, outside air comes in to replace it, mostly coming up from the ground. It can enter through cracks in the foundation walls, floor slab, gaps around pipes and support posts, floor drains, sumps etc. The only way to find out if your home has a radon problem is to test. Homes can be retrofitted to reduce radon levels. Sealing major cracks is important but it’s not all that may be needed to reduce the levels. It’s really important to test.

Radon Gas Illustration 2

Image courtesy of the Lung Association http://www.radonaware.ca

Radon testing is done with a small sampling device that you place inside your home for at least three months when windows and doors are typically shut (October to March). Radon exposure in the home changes over time so it takes a few months to get an accurate measure. You place the kit on the lowest level of the home where family members typically spend at least 4 hours of time in a day. Where there are children at home, the preferred test places are lowest level bedrooms, a playroom, or another room on the lowest level where children spend time.

We have test kits available at our Community Program Office in downtown Trail courtesy of the Donna Schmidt Memorial Lung Cancer Prevention Fund. The kits are provided for a suggested donation of $15 suggested to cover costs. Please call us at 250-368-3256 or drop by 1319 Bay Ave. in Trail to pick up a kit.

For more information on radon, check out Health Canada at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/radiation/radon/faq_fq-eng.php#health or test your knowledge and take The Lung Association Radon Quiz: http://www.takeactiononradon.ca/canadian-lung-association-quiz.