St. Andrews, NB Chosen for Radon Testing Pilot Project

In a recent CHCO-TV interview on Southwest Magazine, NB Lung President and CEO Melanie Langille shed light on the hazards of high radon levels in New Brunswick homes. Langille emphasized the importance of raising awareness about radon gas, which is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada. With one in four homes in New Brunswick exposed to dangerous levels of radon, the need for testing and mitigation is critical.

Langille, an environmental scientist, explained that radon gas is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that stems from the breakdown of uranium-based bedrock. Due to the geological composition of New Brunswick, with high uranium content in the bedrock and shallow soil depth, radon easily seeps into homes. Langille pointed out that radon exposure can lead to lung tissue damage and potentially cancer over time.

Regarding testing for radon, Langille highlighted the importance of conducting a long-term test for at least 90 days, as radon levels can fluctuate. Health Canada recommends testing during the heating season, typically from October to April. Langille mentioned that Health Canada provides test kits, and individuals can also purchase certified test kits from various sources. Testing kits are placed in the lowest level of a home where inhabitants spend time, and results are analyzed to determine average radon levels. Langille said St. Andrews, New Brunswick has chosen for a pilot project during which all residents will be able to get free radon test kits for their homes and businesses so that Health Canada can have a concentration sampling of radon levels from a single New Brunswick town.

When discussing mitigation of radon, Langille mentioned that certified contractors can install devices to ventilate radon gas from homes, with costs averaging around $2,000. Langille stressed the importance of using certified radon mitigators to ensure proper mitigation procedures are followed. She also noted that homes built after the 2015 national building code include provisions for radon mitigation systems.

Langille shared a poignant story about a community member who was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer linked to radon exposure. This personal account underscored the urgency of testing and mitigating radon in homes to prevent health risks. Langille emphasized the need for ongoing testing, especially after renovations or changes to a home's structure that may impact radon levels.

Langille encouraged individuals to take proactive steps to test for radon in their homes and emphasized that while radon exposure poses risks, it is a preventable and manageable issue. The upcoming radon testing information session in St. Andrews, where 400 free testing kits will be distributed, serves as a vital initiative to gather data and raise awareness in the community.