Provincial lung health charity has long advocated for increased access to testing and remediation of high radon; New Brunswick will be the first province in Canada to offer free testing to the general public.
December 3, 2024 – NB Lung is applauding the November 28 motion in the provincial Legislature to expand access to free radon testing kits to New Brunswickers. This move, announced during Lung Cancer Awareness Month, marks a significant step in tackling the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is invisible, tasteless, and odourless, making it detectable only through specialized equipment. Alarmingly, a recent survey found that 1 in 3 Atlantic Canadian homes has unsafe radon levels, with New Brunswick leading the nation in lung cancer rates.
While the government has started testing public housing, NB Lung has long advocated for affordable radon testing & mitigation for all New Brunswickers. The newly passed motion, which received unanimous support, commits to expanding free radon test kits to the general public, though initial proposals for mitigation funding were removed during legislative debates.
“Radon-induced lung cancer is preventable,” said Melanie Langille, NB Lung’s President and CEO. “We’re ready to collaborate with the government to expand testing and support New Brunswickers in addressing high radon levels in their homes.”
Radon is found in all Canadian homes at varying levels, with New Brunswick’s geology leading to some of the country’s highest concentrations. Long-term radon exposure significantly increases lung cancer risk, especially when combined with tobacco smoke.
The motion also includes plans to explore government support for radon mitigation. Health Canada recommends mitigation for homes with radon levels exceeding 200 Bq/m³. Mitigation typically involves installing ventilation systems and costs $2,500–$4,000, far less than the $70,000 annual cost of lung cancer treatment per patient.
With this legislative milestone, NB Lung remains committed to ensuring more New Brunswickers can detect and reduce radon levels in their homes, paving the way for healthier, safer communities.