Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/Nov. 1, 2024
November is Radon Action Month. Radon is a radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell or taste that is found in every home, the question is how many homes have levels that are high? The 2019-2020 radon study conducted in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties estimates about 15 per cent of area homes have a high radon level. The only way to know the radon level in your home is to test. Order a do-it-yourself radon test kit or hire a certified radon professional to perform the test.
Radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, and accounts for an estimated 16 per cent of lung cancer deaths in Canada. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas created by the breakdown of uranium in the ground. Radon gas can enter your home through cracks in the basement, sump pumps, floor drains, or any other opening where the house contacts the soil. In confined spaces, radon gas can build up.
If the radon level in your home is high, reduce it! There are many mitigation measures to lower the radon level to a safer level, including increasing ventilation, sealing entry routes or installing depressurization systems. Information about mitigation options is available in the Radon Reduction Guide for Canadians.
Under Ontario’s new 2024 Building Code, Ontario’s radon mitigation requirements have been strengthened by requiring new houses to have a rough-in for a subfloor depressurization system. This change will make it easier to install radon extraction equipment if radon is discovered to be a problem after a home is built and occupied.
Homeowners whose homes test above 200 Bq/m3 are strongly encouraged to take radon mitigation measures. As it can be costly, some assistance programs are available to eligible homeowners:
- Tarion Home Warranty covers the cost of radon mitigation in new homes in Ontario that are seven years old or less.
- Canadian Lung Association grant program offers funding for individuals diagnosed with lung cancer or low to moderate income households.
- Ontario Renovates Program through some municipalities.
Additional information about radon is available at hpePublicHealth.ca/radon/ and through Take Action on Radon and Health Canada.
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For more information contact:
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
Communications Team
communications@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
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