News Release - Let's Reduce Lung Cancer from the Ground Up!

Take Action on Radon, a coalition of national health organizations, is distributing 100 free radon test kits to raise awareness about the health risks associated with radon in anticipation of the upcoming National Radon Awareness Month in November. Town of Creston residents are invited to participate in the 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge and receive a free radon test to test their own home on a first come first serve basis. 

The free Radon Information Session for Creston will be: Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7p.m. online.  Information will be sent to those who have pre-registered.  Free kits will be available to those who have pre-registered for pick up at Creston Emergency Services Building from Nov. 14-21, Monday – Friday 8:30AM - 4:30PM, closed from 12-1PM.

Town of Creston residents are encouraged to attend the online Radon Information Session - whether or not they choose to participate in the testing program - to learn more about the health effects of radon, why it’s a concern in our area, and Health Canada’s recommendations for homeowners. 

“Although Canadians are becoming more aware of radon and its link to lung cancer in non-smokers, we still see hesitancy before homeowners take steps to test and reduce their radon exposure.” says Pam Warkentin, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST), and Project Manager for Take Action on Radon. “Reducing radon exposure saves lives and the 100 Test Kit Challenge is a great way for a community to come together and take action on radon.”

Radon is a radioactive gas that is released by the breakdown of uranium in the soil. It is odourless, tasteless, and colourless, and can enter buildings and enclosed spaces undetected. Since Canadian homes are sealed against the weather, radon can become trapped indoors, building up to dangerous levels. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon damages the DNA in our lung tissue and is currently leading to over 3,000 Canadian deaths each year – more than the combined toll of car collisions, house fires, carbon monoxide poisoning and drowning [1].

Asha DeLisle, the Town’s Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Coordinator says, “This program provides a great opportunity for residents to learn about the impacts of radon, and radon levels in their home. It’s a simple but important step that families can take to protect themselves.”

“Radon is a well-established human carcinogen. Testing and reducing radon levels is an important method of lung cancer prevention.” says Dr. Anne-Marie Nicol, a researcher from the Faculty of Sciences from Simon Fraser University, “Residential radon is marked as Canadians' primary exposure to radon; preventing radon exposure will reduce the number of Canadians dying of lung cancer.”

‘We are seeing awareness increase in many areas across Canada.  Many people know that testing for radon is an important action in looking after their health,” says Pam Warkentin, Executive Director of CARST and Project Manager, Take Action on Radon. “If you tested for radon years ago, it may be time to test again.  Or if you haven’t gotten around to it, this is your chance to stop putting it off and get your radon test.”

Funding for this project is provided by Health Canada.

PROGRAM DETAILS: 

  1. Only 100 free kits are available, and residents must sign up for the program at: creston.ca/radon

  2. The free Radon Information Sessions will be: Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7pm on zoom. 

  3. Participants will be able to pick up their radon test from Friday Nov. 14 - Friday Nov. 21 from Creston Emergency Services Building 1505 Cook Street, Monday – Friday 8:30AM - 4:30PM, closed from 12-1PM.

About Take Action on Radon

Take Action on Radon is a national initiative that works to bring together radon stakeholders and raise radon awareness across Canada.  The initiative is led by the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST) and the Canadian Cancer Society. 

To learn more about radon, visit: TakeActionOnRadon.ca