More radon detectors are now available at the Castlegar and District Public Library, thanks to the work of a local company.

The Donna Schmidt Lung Cancer Prevention Society (DSLCPS) was created to help reduce lung cancer caused by radon exposure at home and at work.

Initially, the Company purchased and distributed single-use radon detectors, but has now moved to newer electronic detectors. These were placed in the Castlegar Library to be loaned to those who wanted to check the radon levels in their homes.

The loan program proved to be very popular, so the company placed additional electronic radon detectors in the Castlegar library. They also placed radon detectors in public libraries in Nelson, Trail, Creston, Nakusp and Kaslo.

Castlegar and other communities in the West Kootenays have high levels of radon in businesses and households. Radon has been identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer by Health Canada, after smoking, with more than 15 percent of lung cancer cases linked to radon exposure.

The distribution of puck-type detectors has been halted, so people wishing to have their home or business tested should contact their local library.

This program is in addition to a parallel program run by the BC Lung Association, which distributes the same type of electronic detectors to libraries in British Columbia. For more information, please contact Dana Schmidt, Director of DSLCPS at [email protected] or visit the website at dsradonprevention.org.

[email protected]
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

CastlegarHealth