What you need to know about Radon!

Radon  is a naturally occurring, odorless, colourless, radioactive gas that comes from the ground, and is also found across Canada. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon increases the risk of developing lung cancer. According to Health Canada, 16% of lung cancer deaths are related to radon.

Lifetime excess cancer risk estimates for indoor air carcinogens show that radon gas is the highest priority exposure in Canadian settings.  It exceeds risks from asbestos.

If you are conducting PHASE 1 Environmental Site Assessments, you should consider radon.  We have provided some sample wordings for you to use.

CARST Suggested Phase 1 Radon Wording.docx

ALL industrial, commercial and
institutional buildings in Canada
have some level of radon, the
question is HOW MUCH is in
each building.

THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW IF
LEVELS ARE SAFE IS TO TEST.

NEED TO KNOW:

• As an employer, general duty clauses require employers to minimize hazards.
  
• Testing for radon is simple.
  
• Consult a C-NRPP certified professional.
  
• All buildings with high levels can be lowered with mitigation.
  

CAREX Canada risk estimates for indoor air carcinogens show that radon gas is the highest priority exposure in Canadian settings.

RESOURCES

CELA: Canadian Environmental Law Association

“As in all indoor environments, the only way for an employer to know if they are compliant…is to test.”

p50 Canadian Environmental Law Association
(CELA) and CAREX Canada, Environmental
Scan of Radon Law and Policy: Best Practices
in Canada and the European Union.
August, 2018
https://cela.ca/radon/

C-NRPP: Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program

Interactive Radon Map.

Radon Map  
https://c-nrpp.ca/radon-map/

CCOHS (Canadian Centre
for Occupational Health
and Safety)

There are no areas of the country that are ‘radon free’ .

CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational
Health and Safety) https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/radon.html

Government of Canada
Health Canada

Access videos, factsheets, materials to share, and a list of
additional resources.

http://canada.ca

Radon - What you need to Know
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/reports-publications/radon-what-you-need-to-know.html

CARST: Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists

Radon testing requires a 91-day minimum testing period during the heating season (October through April). In cases where such testing may not be practical, the prospective purchaser and lender should consider testing the building(s) as prescribed by the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST) Real Estate Testing Guideline in order to make timely and informed decisions.

CARST.ca
https://carst.ca/