Residents Invited to Free Radon Education Sessions in County and City of Peterborough
Written by Communications, November 2, 2018
Peterborough Public Health Giving Away Radon Test Kits to Local Homeowners at No Cost
Peterborough Public Health is hosting four free radon education sessions in the County and City of Peterborough to raise awareness about this public health risk that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in Ontario.
“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. “We strongly encourage residents to learn more about how to test their homes to keep their families safe.”
A Public Health Inspector will give an interactive presentation that reviews the current research on radon gas, describes the health risks, and explains how to detect and prevent it homes. Each session is limited to a maximum of 50 participants, and homeowners who attend will receive a free radon test kit that includes free shipping to the lab. Homeowners will also be asked to provide consent to share their test results with Peterborough Public Health.
“Testing for radon is easy, just put the detector in the lowest lived-in level of your home, and leave it there for three months,” explained Wanda Tonus, the Public Health Inspector who will lead the education sessions. “Afterwards, mail the detector away to the lab and they will send you the results.”
Residents must register for one of the following four sessions by calling 705-743-1000, ext. 232. Dates and locations for the upcoming radon education sessions are as follows:
Thursday, November 15, 2018 – 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Havelock Town Hall – 1 Mathison St., Havelock
Wednesday, November 21, 2018 – 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Wilson Park Community Centre – 66 Northey’s Bay Road, Woodview
Wednesday, December 5, 2018 – 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Selwyn Public Library – 836 Charles St., Bridgenorth
Saturday, January 19, 2018 – 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Peterborough Public Health – 185 King St., Peterborough
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.
More information about radon is available at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/radon.
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For further information, please contact:
Wanda Tonus
Public Health Inspector
705-743-1000, ext. 285