Posted: Friday January 07, 2022
Background
A Recent Health Canada survey found that 19.4% of the houses evaluated in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark had levels of radon gas above Canada Health guidelines. Radon concentrations are more prevalent in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark because of the region’s unique rock formations that trap the radioactive gas.
Radon is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas that is formed naturally by the radioactive breakdown of uranium contained in soil and rock. Radon usually escapes from the ground into the air where it mixes with fresh air resulting in concentrations too low to be of concern. However, when radon enters an enclosed space such as a building, it can accumulate to higher concentrations, and the only way to confirm radon concentrations is to test.
According to Health Canada, long-term exposure to radon is linked to approximately 16% of lung cancer deaths in Canada and is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Canada’s guidelines dictate that radon gas concentrations above 200 Becquerel’s per cubic metre (Bq/m3) require remediation.
Building Permits Applied for After February 21, 2022
All building permit applications for new construction, and additions to, lowrise residential buildings in The City of Brockville applied for after February 21, 2022, will be required to incorporate radon gas mitigation construction requirements in compliance with the Ontario Building Code. These requirements apply to the construction of new dwellings, and residential additions with an area over 20m2.
Please contact the Building Department for more information.