By Times Chronicle Staff
The results of Oliver’s 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge during the winter of 2024-25 are in and 47 of the 83 homes tested (57 per cent) during the 91-day alpha track testing have come in above Health Canada’s guideline of 200 Bq/m3. An average of 8 per cent of homes are above the guideline number in BC.
“We were pleased to see so many residents recognize the importance of testing their home for radon,” says Pam Warkentin, Project Manager at Take Action on Radon.
“Our community approach to the 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge means that no one needs to feel they’re the only one testing their home for radon. Everyone knows that they are one of many families in their community who are taking their radon exposure seriously.”
Radon is an odourless and colourless, radioactive soil gas that can build up to dangerous levels in indoor air, making it the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers in Canada. Radon exposure also compounds the risk of lung cancer for people with other risk factors.
The uranium rich geology of the soil across Canada provides a high potential for elevated radon levels in homes. This project used C-NRPP listed long-term radon test kits as recommended by Health Canada and was supported by funding from Health Canada and the BC Lung Foundation.
Residents who discover their indoor radon levels are dangerously high can explore various mitigation solutions. Radon mitigation systems can be installed in any home, typically within a day, and reduce radon levels by an average of over 90 per cent, the Town said.
Canada’s national radon certification program (C-NRPP) provides a searchable list of radon professionals on their website at c-nrpp.ca/find-a-professional (the closest mitigation professionals listed are in the Kelowna area).
Residents who didn’t get a chance to participate but would like to order a test kit can learn more here.
For more information or questions contact: Pam Warkentin, Project Manager at Take Action on Radon, 204-798-9649 or [email protected].
Take Action on Radon is a national initiative funded by Health Canada that works to bring together radon stakeholders and raise radon awareness across Canada. The initiative is led by the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST) and the Canadian Cancer Society.
Funding for radon testing in many British Columbia locations for 2023-2024 was provided by the Healthy Indoor Environments program at the BC Lung Foundation.
A copy of all the community reports for the last five years of the 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge can be found on Take Action on Radon’s website. Oliver’s data is not listed.
To learn about BC Lung’s radon programs and Recommendations for a BC Action visit the BC Lung Association.
Canadian Lung Association has a radon mitigation grant available for low to moderate income homes.
