Radon testing available for Trail residents and public buildings
By City of Trail
Interior Health has donated 44 radon kits to the Trail Area Health and Environment Committee (THEC) and City of Trail to springboard a campaign to encourage homeowners and municipalities to test their buildings for radon before the end of 2016.
“Everyone should get their home tested. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking,” says Mike Adams, THEC member and team leader with Interior Health’s Healthy Built Environment Team. “Radon levels can differ significantly from building to building, so it’s important to test. There are several ways to reduce radon in homes starting with simple steps such as sealing cracks around foundation walls, floors, pipes and drains, to improving ventilation, to installing a radon reduction system. Always retest after making any improvements.”
“A radon awareness campaign in 2015 resulted in 74 Lower Columbia residents testing their homes,” says Ruth Beck, Manager of the Trail Area Health and Environment Program. “We’d like to beat that number this year.”
To pick up a test kit, visit the Trail Area Health and Environment Program Office at 1319 Bay Avenue. There is a suggested $15 donation to the Donna Schmidt Memorial Lung Cancer Prevention Society for the kits. The Society will provide tax receipts for all donations.
Thanks to the Interior Health partnership, the City of Trail is planning to test a number of its public buildings this year. This includes the Aquatic Centre and City Hall.
“The city has made radon testing a priority,” said Mayor Mike Martin. We want to provide a healthy and safe environment for city staff. We will be testing City facilities this winter.”
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in homes. It cannot be smelled, tasted or seen. The levels in your home cannot be predicted by test results from your neighbours. If you find a radon issue, it can be fixed.
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