P.E.I. Lung Association wants to 'shine some light' on radon with detector loan program

The P.E.I. Lung Association is launching a radon detector loan program soIslanders can test for the presence ofthe naturally occurringand dangerousradioactive gas in their homes.

Radon isfound in soil andcan seep into buildings. Exposure to high levelsposes a health risk theinvisible, odourless and tasteless gasis the number 1cause of lung cancer for non-smokers, according to Health Canada.

With the detector there will be a little packaged enclosed with it and some statistics on radonwhat steps to be taken should youhave high levels of radon. Robert MacDonald, P.E.I. Lung Association

"Radon levels in P.E.I. are some of the lowest in Canada but that does not mean that your home doesn't have it," said Robert MacDonald, executive director of the P.E.I. Lung Association.

Five to seven detectors should be available on loanfrom the Confederation Centre Public Library starting in November, he said.

"With this program, that will really kind of shine some light on radon and have people, homeowners, give them the ability to loan out a radon detector and test their home to see if their levels are high," MacDonald said.

"With the detector there will be a little packaged enclosed with it and some statistics on radonwhat steps to be taken should youhave high levels of radon."

Detectors can be loaned for up to five weeks, MacDonald said.

The association received a $1,000 micro-grant from the city of Charlottetown for the project.

Success in other provinces

MacDonald said there has beenhuge demand for a similar program offered in Nova Scotia, where50 detectors are available at libraries across the province.

"Some libraries have a huge waiting list."

MacDonald said the hope is to do the same on P.E.I. and eventually expand the program to libraries across the province.

MacDonald said the whole point is to get people talking about, and aware of,radon.

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