Radon is an odourless, radioactive gas that seeps into homes and buildings from the soil.
Long-term exposure to elevated radon levels is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in Canada. It's responsible for more than 3,200 deaths each year. In Manitoba, 43 percent of homes exceed the national radon guideline of 200 becquerels per cubic metre.
On Thursday, the Gilbert Plains Municipality will be hosting a radon information session in the Gilbert Plains EMS boardroom. It's at 7:00. You can learn about the health effects of radon and why it's a concern in the area.
Courtney Roehl says everyone is welcome.
"We're having a representative from Health Canada come out and do the presentation," said Roehl. "The representative will answer any questions. We're going to be giving away 10 free radon testing kits.
If your home reads between 200 and 600 becquerels per cubic metre, it's recommended to remediate it within two years.
Roehl says now's the time to educate yourself on the effects of radon.
"It's a radioactive gas that has no taste, it's odourless, and invisible. You can't tell if it's in your house or not unless you test," ended Roehl. "Learning how to mitigate radon in your home is very important."
If the radon reading is greater than 600 becquerels per cubic metre, you're encouraged to remediate within a year.
