Sask. residents encouraged to check radon levels in their homes
Uranium in province makes radon more of an issue: Lung Saskatchewan
A recent study out of the University of Calgary estimates that more than 10 million Canadians are being exposed to high levels of radon, an odourless, tasteless radioactive gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the country.
Radon seeps through cracks and gaps in homes' foundations. Saskatchewanians have a higher-than-average chance of high levels of radon in homes due to the uranium found within the province.
Effie Kosmas, manager of prevention and policy at Lung Saskatchewan, said radon is a byproduct of uranium breaking down in the soil and rock.
"Around one in every three Saskatchewan homes have high levels of radon that exceed Health Canada's radon guidelines," she said.
Kosmas said one in four cancer deaths in Saskatchewan are lung cancer related.
"Lung cancer is something that goes undetected for quite a long period of time," she said. "That actually results in late stage diagnoses of lung cancer. So that's why it's important to focus on the preventative measures for lung cancer, and a great one is testing your home for radon."
Lung Saskatchewan's website has full radon kits for $65 and advice for what to do if the levels in your home are higher than recommended.
Kosmas said no level of radon is a safe level, but lowering your exposure helps tremendously over time.
The Regina Public Library (RPL) lends out radon detectors for free with a library card.
"We have 30 kits," said Geoffrey Allen, director of collections at the RPL.
"The kit comes with instructions on how to use the monitors, and if you scan the QR code in the case, it takes you to our page on the website, which has a lot more information."
Allen said the detector kits give you an immediate result. He said there is also a coupon inside for analog radon testing kits.
"Sask Lung and Lung Canada also have grant funding available for people who want to try to remediate the radon in their homes," Allen said.
"In order to apply for that you have to use one of the analog testing devices."
Allen said the kits are in high demand.
"If you put a hold on it through the catalogue, it will come available in a few weeks for you and then you can run your test at your home."
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