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Radon concentration levels are very high in 17% of Quebec homes

Radon concentration levels are very high in 17% of Quebec homes

Roughly 17% of Quebec homes have higher-than-normal radon concentration levels, according to the Quebec Lung Association, which wants more citizens to get radon tests done in their homes.

According to the results of tests conducted and compiled by the Lung Association of Quebec, in Bass-Saint-Laurent, 34% of homes have radon concentrations above recommended standards, while the national radon guideline is 200 Bq/m3 of air.

In Gaspé, nearly half of the homes have higher-than-normal rates.

“Don’t be afraid. You’re on a street, there’s a house with it, and the other isn’t. And don’t tell yourself that these are just old houses, there are also new houses that have radon in it. So you really have to take the time to measure. We’re thinking about pyrite, and we’re thinking about pyrite.” Asbestos, then don’t think about measuring radon,” explained Dominique Massey, director general of the Lung Association of Quebec.

Health consequences appear after long-term exposure, but the solutions do not involve hard work.

With radon, we do some work. Sometimes, if there’s a lot of it, you’ll have to depressurize under the slab, but if you do it ahead of time when building or do it when you have work to do,” Ms. Massey added.

Radon is a ubiquitous radioactive gas. Outdoors, it poses no danger, but it can build up in dwellings, according to experts.

It’s the second cause of lung cancer in Quebec, in case of prolonged exposure, hence the importance of having screening tests done at home, according to the Quebec Lung Association.

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With remote work or leisure activities, Quebecers spend more time in basements; Radon tends to be concentrated in rooms that are less ventilated.

The Lung Association of Quebec has just launched its seventh regional “Cities and Municipalities Against Radon” campaign.

The organization also developed a radon conservation map on its website.