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WHITEHORSE,YT – November is Radon Action Month, and the Yukon’s Minister of Health and Social Services has encouraged all homeowners to test their homes for Radon gas, as the Yukon is known to have some of the highest levels of exposure rates in the country.
Radon is a radioactive gas, know to be the leading cause of lung cancers in non-smokers. The gas has no taste, no smell, and no colour. It’s produced by the breakdown of Uranium deep in the soil, and builds up inside homes as that gas works it way up to the surface. The best time to test for Radon gas is during the fall and winter, when your windows are closed and your home is most airtight.
According to Health Canada’s Regional Radiation Specialist for Alberta and the Territories, Kristin Caroll, while the gas can cause dire health concerns if left unchecked, you shouldn’t panic about the possibility of exposure – as testing is simple, and the build up of Radon gas is easily dealt with by having a special ventilation system installed by a licensed technician.
“Every home could potentially have high levels of Radon, but it’s very easy to test, and it is something you can fix. So it’s not something you need to be scared about.” – Kristin Caroll, Health Canada’s Regional Radiation Specialist for Alberta and the Territories
In the Yukon, Radon mitigation is covered under the Yukon Housing Corporation’s Home Repair Program, and $10 instant rebates are available from the Yukon Lung Association to offset the cost of radon test kits.
