Thunder Bay radon gas levels being checked with home-testing kits
The Thunder Bay and District Health Unit is asking for the public’s help in measuring radon levels in the city.
Starting Wednesday, free radon home-testing kits will be available to 500 households, the health unit said.
“The only way to know if a home has a high level of radon is to test for it. The puck-sized radon detectors will stay in the homes for three months, and then will be collected and sent away for analysis. Residents will be notified of their results.”
Radon is an invisible radioactive gas found in many homes across Canada. It is produced naturally as the uranium in the ground breaks down. It can seep into homes through cracks in the foundation, pipe openings, sump pits, and so on.
The gas can build up to high levels in homes and, over time, may cause lung cancer. It is estimated that 2,000 Canadians are killed by radon gas every year.
If residents discover they have a high level of radon in their home, the health unit said it will provide information on how to reduce it.
To find out if a resident is eligible to receive a free radon testing kit, a brief survey must be completed first, the health unit said. To apply for a free kit, and for more information about radon, visit tbdhu.com/EH or call 807-625-5930.