NEWS RELEASE
WELLINGTON-DUFFERIN-GUELPH PUBLIC HEALTH
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Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) is hosting a radon and lung cancer information session on Monday, Nov. 6 at the Victoria Road Recreation Centre in Guelph.
WDGPH and Health Canada will be available to answer questions at this free, drop-in event from 5-7:30 p.m. Kits to test your home for radon will be available to purchase at the session for the discounted price of $35. During the month of November, discounted test kits can also be purchased online.
Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking and is linked to 16 per cent of lung cancer deaths in Canada. A naturally occurring gas, radon seeps into buildings from the soil and builds up to dangerous levels in many homes in Canada. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless, so unless you test for it you won’t know if your home has a high level of radon that is putting you at risk of lung cancer. In a Health Canada survey, close to one in five homes tested in Guelph were found to have dangerously high radon levels.
Testing for radon is easy and inexpensive. You can buy an approved do-it-yourself radon test kit or hire a certified radon professional. Radon testing should occur in the winter, over a minimum of three months. If the test indicates your home has a high level of radon, it is important to take steps to lower it to reduce your family’s risk of lung cancer.
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