Holyrood councillor disappointed in radon kit uptake

By Mark Squibb

Holyrood councillor Mable Tilley is disappointed in the uptake in a recent radon awareness campaign.
Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, and odorless gas released when uranium breaks down in soil and rocks. It can gather in enclosed spaces and if left unchecked could lead to lung cancer.
Tilley noted that Health Canada provided the Town with a hundred free home test kits which were made available through the Town Hall, and though all one hundred were spoken for, less than half were picked up.
The councillor said that as the kits had to be returned by a certain date, a number of kits were returned unused.
“It’s a little bit disappointing that people didn’t pick them up, because after all, this is something for their safety,” said Tilley. “This is not something for marketing or uptake, it’s actually there to check the radon levels in your house. So, hopefully going forward we’ll be able to get a little bit more response on this.”
Councillor Bruce King also addressed the issue.
“It is very disappointing, because if you look at other communities, they have a waiting list,” said King. “When they get 100 kits, they don’t have enough kits for everybody.”
Tilley extended her thanks to those who did pick up and use their test kits, and hoped the Town will be able to offer the kits again in the future.