November is Radon Action Month in Canada and it is also one of the best times to get your home tested for the colorless, odourless gas that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is produced when radioactive materials in the ground such as radium and uranium decay.
The Castlegar area has a higher than average concentration of radon.
In 2014 the BC Lung Association did a study on radon levels in the area. Test kits were distributed to 230 homes and 158 people returned the kits. Of the homes in the study, 59 per cent tested above the Health Canada recommended level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre (373 Bq/m3). The average level for all Castlegar homes was 373 Bq/m3.
The World Health Organization recommends action be taken at 100 Bq/m3 and 87 per cent of the tested homes were above that level.
Health Canada recommends using a long-term indoor radon test. These tests should be used for at least three months.
The BC Lung Association recommends using the tests during months when your house will be closed up as that is when levels are the highest.
Radon test kits are available locally at Golder Associates located at 201 Columbia Ave. Kits can be picked up Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The kits are provided by the Donna Schmidt Lung Cancer Prevention Society.