Image: Ognyan Chobanov / Dreamstime / File photo of a radon gas detector.

By Don Mitchell

Radon Gas Testing

FVRD to continue residential radon testing despite only half of free kits being returned

Sep 12, 2024 | 11:51 AM

CHILLIWACK — The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) has once again approved a potential $10,000 expenditure for a winter residential radon-testing program.

Despite only around half of the 500 test kits being returned to the region’s environmental services from a similar initiative this past year, the Regional and Corporate Committee has decided to renew the project.

With radon characterized as a potential health hazard by Fraser Health, the 90-day kits were distributed in late 2023 across municipal and electoral areas.

Health authorities previously stated that they didn’t have adequate test results for radon across the region.

An analysis in the spring revealed that about 11 percent of homes in the test program had measurements exceeding 200 becquerels per cubic meter (200 Bq/m³), which authorities suggest is on the high side and recommend installing venting systems to mitigate the issue.

Projected tax increase

Chilliwack Council to consider 7.17% tax increase amid heavy emphasis on public safety in 2025 budget

6h ago

Boxing Canada

Chilliwack boxer Oliver Kladnik to represent Team BC at upcoming boxing nationals

6h ago

Greenhouse Gas

New heat pumps to reduce UFV Chilliwack's carbon footprint, provide system for students to explore

7h ago

“The results indicate that elevated levels of radon are present in most FVRD communities, but rates appeared particularly high in houses tested within Hope, Electoral Area B, and Electoral Area H,” the environmental services report said.

“Some of these communities had quite limited participation; however, general conclusions cannot be drawn about the broader community until further testing is conducted.”

Responding to a board query on Thursday about the effectiveness of the program and its subsequent expense, Manager of Environmental Services Lance Lilley agreed that the division will have to be “more aggressive” in reminding residents to return their kits.

“We probably need to be more aggressive this time, seeing that these results show roughly 50 percent of the test kits have been returned,” Lilley explained.

“You’re right; that’s not a great turnout. We want more.”

The B.C. Lung Association says exposure to radioactive gas can contribute to lung cancer.

“In fact, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, causing over 3,200 Canadian deaths each year,” the agency says.

Data from partner Take Action on Radon estimates that about 70 percent of homeowners would take action if elevated radon levels were discovered in their dwellings.

In 2017, a Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) Homeowner’s Guide to Radon estimated that a radon mitigation system ranged between $2,500 and $4,000, depending on the size of the home and how the gas is entering.

The FVRD has asked the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) to seek a funding program from the province to help residents with the cost of installing radon mitigation systems.