The municipality of Coteaux makes radon detectors available to interested citizens. This device can be borrowed free of charge during the opening hours of the Bibliothèque des Coteaux to measure the radon concentration in your home.

What is radon? It is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the ground. It comes from the decay of uranium buried in the earth’s crust. Outdoor radon does not pose a health hazard because it is diluted in the atmosphere. However, if it enters an enclosed environment like a home, it can accumulate in high concentrations, especially in the basement.

It emits radioactive radiation that can cause lung cancer in the long term. Radon can get inside through any opening in the ground, such as:

– crawl spaces (ground floors);

– Cracks in the walls and floor slab;

– Leaking connections of connection or drain lines (water, sewage, electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, etc.);

– Basement drains and other plumbing lines.

According to Health Canada, all Canadian homes contain radon. Regardless of the age, design, or location of your home, the only way to determine radon levels is to measure it with a dosimeter.

The average concentration of Rado is estimated at around 35 Bq/m³Not in the basements of Quebec. If Canada does not have a standard for residential radon concentrations, mitigation measures must be taken when the annual average concentration in the normally occupied areas of a home exceeds 200 Bq/m³:

– Up to 600 Bq corrective action is recommended within two years;

– If the concentration exceeds this rate, it is better to act within 12 months. How? By implementing one of the following corrective actions:

– Seal cracks in the foundation;

– Seal the openings in contact with the ground;

• Make sure the drip trays are covered and vented to the outside;

• Improve the ventilation of the house, especially in the basement