November is Radon Action Month

Radon Action Month has been observed every November in Canada since 2013. The timing is particularly important because radon levels are highest in homes during the heating season between October and April, when windows are most often closed tight.

Exposure to radon gas is estimated to cause over 3,000 lung cancer deaths in Canada each year. Homes with elevated levels of radon can be found in every region of the country, and some parts of BC – including the Kootenays, Okanagan, and Prince George areas – are known to have a high proportion of these homes.

A new public awareness campaign, a joint initiative between the BCREA, BC Lung Foundation, and the Real Estate Foundation of BC, aims to educate British Columbians about this hidden threat.

“Radon is a leading cause of lung cancer in Canada, but there is still so much work to be done to educate British Columbians on its dangerous impacts. Knowing about radon and testing radon levels in your home can save lives,” says Christopher Lam, President & CEO of BC Lung Foundation.

“For a lot of people, radon flies under the radar until it impacts them directly. We want to make people throughout the province aware of the dangers of radon so they can head it off before it becomes an issue,” said Trevor Koot, BCREA CEO.

The campaign also seeks to further educate BC REALTORS®, an ongoing joint effort between BCREA and the BC Lung Foundation.

“Not only can REALTORS® help buyers and sellers be more aware of radon concerns and obligations in housing transactions, but they’re key conduits of information in their communities,” added Koot. “The more REALTORS® and the public know about radon, the better for the province.”

If you have any questions, or to see if you qualify for a FREE test, contact BC Air Testing and Mitigation Inc, at 604 or use our Contact Page to message us directly.  We are more than happy to help and chat about the dangers this gas can cause.

Quotes and information taken directly from the BCREA message to all BC Realtors, outlining the initiative on November 5th 2024.