Spreading Radon Awareness

Radon Action Month wrapped up last week with a week of Radon Education workshops.

Radon Environmental hosted two Radon Education Seminars in Regina and Saskatoon, as part of the “Tackle Radon” initiative, launched in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Lung Association to raise radon awareness and encourage testing in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Andrew Greene, Tackle Radon Ambassador and former Saskatchewan Roughrider, even stopped in at the Regina workshop. A lucky attendee in both Regina and Saskatoon was drawn to win in a limited edition football autographed by Andrew and Adam Bighill, Winnipeg Bluebomber and Grey Cup Champion!

Tackle Radon - Regina

Andrew Greene, Tackle Radon Ambassador and former Saskatchewan Roughrider, with Alan Whitehead (left) and David Innes (right) of Radon Environmental.

Tackle Radon - Saskatoon

Alan Whitehead (left) and David Innes (right) of Radon Environmental with Jill Hubick, Community & Patient Engagement, Saskatchewan Lung Association.

The week ended with the 8th Annual B.C. Radon Workshop in Abbotsford, BC hosted by the BC Lung Foundation. This year’s workshop had a record attendance of over 100 attendees, including many local realtors! The session was divided in the afternoon with a special session for realtors led by Dr. Noah Quastel from Simon Fraser University/British Columbia Lung Foundation. Workshop presenters included representatives from Health Canada, BC Centre for Disease Control, CAREX, C-NRPP, CARST, Interior Health, Fraser Valley Regional District, SFU, North Vancouver City Library and Radon Environmental. For the full program, visit: https://bclung.ca/health-professionals/annual-radon-workshop.

B.C. Radon Workshop

Dr. Anne-Marie Nicol, Simon Fraser University/CAREX (left) and Ms. Pam Warkentin, Executive Director, Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (right).

Bark Side of Radon

Alana McFarlane (right) from Radon Environmental with Emily Li (left) from SFU presenting the Bark Side of Radon - a national public awareness campaign promoting home-owner radon testing through pet health.

Testing & Mitigation

David Innes of Radon Environmental presenting new methods of testing and mitigating radon.

Radon Action Month Kicks Off in Abbotsford BC

November is Lung Cancer Awareness and Radon Action Month. 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), CAREX Canada, and the Canadian Cancer Society.

This year’s launch was hosted by Sonbuilt Custom Homes, a Holmes Approved builder. The kick-off event was held at a new Sonbuilt custom home under construction, which has been built to reduce exposure to toxic radon gas - the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.

Photos from the event:

Alan Whitehead (REM & CARST) with Carmen and Johnathan Zerkee, President of Sonbuilt Custom Homes.

Sonbuilt chose to use high-performance Radon Guard sub-slab ventilation and insulation panels instead of the prescriptive gravel in the code.

Johnathan describing the use of Radon Block, a high-performance gas and vapour barrier membrane engineered to block radon and methane. He also describes using the Radon Guard and Block together as a high-performance system to “Build it Right.”

Johnathan welcoming the attendees and city officials and dignitaries explaining why it’s important to “Build it Right” to save lives!

Henry Braun, Mayor of Abbotsford was presented with a TAOR pin to commemorate the event and recognize the Mayor and City Council’s proactive role to reduce their citizens’ exposure to radon.

A large crowd attended the event, including City Building Code Officials, Abbotsford Mayor and MLA, Health Canada, Canadian Cancer Society, CARST, as well as Global News and Fairchild TV.

Dr. Anne-Marie Nicol (CAREX/SFU) talking with Simon Gibson, MLA for Abbotsford and Mission Districts.

This year's Radon Action Month campaign, Today 4 Tomorrow, encourages Canadians to be proactive and plan for a healthy future by testing their home for radon, and reducing exposure to high levels. During the campaign, Take Action on Radon will highlight the positive actions of municipalities across Canada and the steps communities can take to help their residents protect themselves.

We are excited to see municipalities such as Abbotsford taking a leadership role in raising awareness about radon, including through their participation in the 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge.

Stay tuned for more action this month as we join together to raise radon awareness.