Radon Awareness Campaign Launches in Canada: Knowvember Aims to Save Lives
Canadians are being urged to take action against a silent killer lurking in their homes: radon. A new campaign, Knowvember, is launching this November to raise awareness about the dangers of radon exposure and encourage widespread testing. Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and is present in all homes across Canada.
The campaign comes at a crucial time as Canada focuses on building more energy-efficient homes, which can inadvertently lead to increased radon levels due to tighter seals. While radon is present in all the air we breathe, it tends to build up to dangerous levels inside homes and other buildings.
Carole Vivier, a lung cancer survivor, is a vocal advocate for radon awareness. Diagnosed in 2020, she discovered high radon levels in her home after her diagnosis. “Everyone thinks only smokers get lung cancer, and this is simply not true,” says Carole. “I smoked casually over 40 years ago, and it’s unlikely the cause of my lung cancer today. This stigma affects research and funding. More people die from lung cancer than breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers combined, yet it receives the least research funding! That’s why campaigns like this are vitally important!”
Carole’s experience highlights the importance of testing. “People need to understand that the risk of lung cancer from radon exposure is very serious and very real. I wish we’d known this sooner, and we don’t want anyone else to go through this. After my diagnosis, we had our house tested for radon, and the level was extremely high! Testing for radon is simple, and it just might save your life. I still worry about my family’s past exposure, even though we had our house remediated.”
The Canadian Cancer Society echoes Carole’s call to action. “Radon exposure continues to be the leading risk factor for lung cancer in people who don’t smoke,” says Tricia Lewchuk of the Canadian Cancer Society. “Anything homeowners can do to reduce exposure to radon will help reduce the number of new lung cancer cases in Canada.”
While radon awareness is growing in Canada, with more people testing their homes than ever before, only 10% of Canadians have taken this vital step. Knowvember aims to change that. The campaign offers prizes to encourage participation and spread awareness.
Taking Action: Testing and Mitigation
The first step to protecting your family is to test your home for radon. Single-use detectors can be purchased online for approximately $50-$60. Reusable digital radon monitors are also becoming increasingly popular, but consumers should be cautious. “Many devices available online have been found to give false results,” warns Dr. Anne Marie Nicol, SFU. “Health Canada has recalled some fraudulent monitors, and the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP) runs annual tests on devices and provides a list of reliable digital radon monitors in a consumer report available on their website. Be sure to check the report before you buy!”
No matter which device you choose, follow Health Canada’s guidelines for radon testing, and test your home for at least three months. Radon levels vary over time, so it’s crucial to measure long enough to get an average.
If your home’s radon level is above Health Canada’s guideline level (200 Bq/m3), the next step is to reduce your radon level with a radon mitigation system. While some homes may be below the guidelines, there are no safe levels of radon exposure, so people should always try to reduce levels as low as reasonably achievable. Trained professionals are available across the country to do the work; a list of certified radon mitigation professionals can be found on the C-NRPP website.
Knowvember: Spread the Word and Win
Take Action on Radon wants you to share your knowledge! The Knowvember campaign encourages everyone to get “in the know” about radon and then share what they’ve learned with their community for a chance to win great prizes. “We hear from so many Canadians who can’t believe they didn’t know about radon sooner and are eager to share the information with their community,” says Pam Warkentin, Project Manager with Take Action on Radon, a national radon awareness program. “This Knowvember, share what you know and enter our contest for a chance to win some great prizes.”
To enter the contest and for a chance to win prizes including a WestJet ticket for two, gift cards, and more, share the word about radon (suggestions can be found on the Knowvember website) and share a photo. Complete details and contest rules can be found at www.Knowvember.ca.
About Take Action on Radon
Take Action on Radon is a national initiative funded by Health Canada 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.
Resources
* To learn more about radon and how to test your home, visit www.TakeActionOnRadon.ca.
* To learn more about what municipalities can do about radon, check out Health Canada’s Radon action guide for municipalities: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-risks-safety/radiation/radon/action-guides/municipalities.html.
* The Canadian Lung Association has a radon mitigation grant available for low to moderate income homes: https://www.lung.ca/lung-health/radon/lungs-matter-radon-mitigation-support.
