November is Radon Action Month in Canada, and Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) is reminding residents to test their homes for radon gas.
Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium breaks down in soil and rock. It can enter homes through small cracks in floors, walls, drains, or sumps. Radon is most common in basements and poorly ventilated areas.
While radon has no smell, taste, or colour, it can be dangerous. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada, after smoking.
HPPH recommends doing a long-term radon test, since levels can change daily or monthly. Winter is the best time to test because windows and doors stay closed, making results more accurate. A long-term test should last at least three months and be placed in the lowest lived-in area of the home, where people spend at least four hours a day.
Residents can find Health Canada-approved test kits and more information on the Take Action on Radon website at www.takeactiononradon.ca or call HPPH at 1-888-221-2133 ext. 3670.