Free Radon Test Kits Available from Peterborough Public Health
Written by admin, November 14, 2016
November 14, 2016 – Protect Your Family from the Second-Leading Cause of Lung Cancer
Peterborough Public Health has a limited supply of free radon test kits for local residents conveniently available throughout the County and City of Peterborough, and at Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations.
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium found in rock and soil. It can enter buildings through cracks in foundation floors and walls, gaps in service pipes, open floor drains, or any other area of exposed soil. The likelihood of a radon problem cannot be predicted by the age or location of a home; all homes are at risk.
Long term exposure to high levels of radon greatly increases your risk of lung cancer. According to a 2016 Public Health Ontario report entitled The Environmental Burden of Cancer in Ontario, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
“Radon is responsible for anywhere from 1,080 to 1,550 cancer cases in Ontario each year. This colourless, odourless gas can build up in lower levels of buildings unbeknownst to those living there,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health for Peterborough Public Health. “We strongly encourage residents to take advantage of these free kits and test their homes to keep their families safe.”
It is easy to test for radon. Just put the detector in the lowest lived-in level of your home, and leave it there for three months. Afterwards, mail it away to the lab and they will send you the results. (Our kits even include the shipping fee.)
So come and pick up your free radon test kit today and take action on radon! Residents in the City of Peterborough can pick up their free kits at Peterborough Public Health is located at Jackson Square, 185 King St., Peterborough. Please visit the third floor customer service counter. Kits are available for rural residents as follows:
Curve Lake First Nation
Curve Lake Health Centre, 38 Whetung St., Curve Lake, ON
Hiawatha First Nation
L.I.F.E Services Centre, 431 Hiawatha Line 10, Hiawatha First Nation, ON
Municipality of Trent Lakes
760 County Road 36, Trent Lakes, ON K0M 1A0
Township of Asphodel-Norwood
2357 County Road 45, Norwood, ON, K0L 2V0
Township of Cavan Monaghan
988 County Rd 10, Millbrook, ON L0A 1G0
Township of Douro-Dummer
894 South Street, Warsaw, ON, K0L 3A0
Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen
1 Ottawa St. East, Havelock, ON, K0L 1Z0
Township of North Kawartha
280 Burleigh Street, Apsley, ON, K0L 1A0
Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan
20 Third Street, Keene, ON, K0L 2G0
Township of Selwyn
1310 Centre Line, Selwyn, ON K9J 6X5
For more information contact Wanda Tonus at 705-743-1000 ex. 285.
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For further information, please contact:
Wanda Tonus
Public Health Inspector
705-743-1000, ext. 285