Edit, January 2018 — this is outdated information. The Ontario Lung Association is NOT offering free test kits, but you can find their radon health information and a link to purchase radon test kits here: http://lungontario.ca/protect-your-breathing/air/radon/
Radon is a naturally occurring gas in the ground that can get into your home without your knowledge. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. Living in a home with high levels of radon over a long period of time can put you at risk for lung cancer. The combined effects of smoking with high levels of radon can lead to a 1 in 3 chance of lung cancer developing (being exposed to high radon levels alone leads to a 1 in 20 chance of lung cancer).
The only way to know if radon is in your home is to conduct a simple test for a minimum of 3 months. For a limited time, the Ontario Lung Association is offering FREE radon test kits throughout the month of January, which is Radon Action Month.
If you see patients who are trying to quit smoking during this month, feel free to let them know about this offer to encourage people who smoke to test their homes for radon. If you’d like to order a kit yourself, please call 1-888-344-LUNG (5864) to order one or to find out more about radon. Alternatively, you can visit http://www.on.lung.ca/radon for more information.