CONCENTRATION LEVELS IN BC
In B.C., the highest levels of Radon concentrations are found in the interior and northern regions. A survey conducted by Health Canada concluded that homes within the Vancouver Coastal Health region generally had low concentrations. However, some homes on the North Shore (North Vancouver, West Vancouver, the Sea to Sky Corridor) and the Sunshine Coast has been found to slightly exceed the Canadian guidelines.
You can purchase a Radon test kit at some hardware stores or online from several organizations that are working to reduce the concentration levels. You can also hire a certified professional to perform a test for you.
If the level is above 200 Bq/m3, you should work certified professional to lower the levels in your home. Even if the levels are below 200 Bq/m3, you may still want to try to get them lower.
RADON IN HOMES IN BC
BC Financial Services Authority now considers radon to be a latent defect. When you are selling your home you have to fill in a Property Disclosure Statement which now includes questions like:
- Has the Unit/Common property/Lands being tested for Radon?
- What was the most recent level detected?
- Is there a Radon mitigation system in your home?
If you planning to buy a home, you should consider purchasing in an area where the likelihood of high concentration of Radon is low, or testing the home prior to firming up the purchase.
Awareness of Radon has historically been very low. However, in the past 10 years, more evidence of communities with elevated levels has been found, and it appears that the provincial government and municipalities are starting taking it more seriously.
Radon can accumulate in schools & work places and any other indoor environment. In winter 2017/2018 VCH tested public schools on the North Shore, Sea to Sky, Sunshine Coast, Powell River and Central Coast. Download the Results Report.
The BC Centre for Disease Control has released an Interactive Map. Find out the levels in your area!
You can find more information about Radon on different websites:
Check our other blogs under Real Estate 101 – that might give you answers about buying or selling a home.
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.
