Radon Test Results
August 31, 2016
A Radon Testing Project conducted by the City of Fernie was undertaken over the past several months and completed on a number of City owned and leased buildings. Results of the tests indicate that the radon levels in the air of the basements of the Fernie Heritage Library, City Hall and the Fernie Curling Club are above the Canadian Guidelines of 200 Bq/m3. Interior Health advises that the Guidelines should not be seen as a target or point above which air quality is an immediate health risk.
The City of Fernie has taken precautions and has notified tenants of the library and curling rink. Interim measures are being taken to reduce risk which includes limiting access to affected areas, opening windows, and increasing ventilation. City administrators are in contact with Interior Health and radon experts to arrange for remediation at these three locations as quickly as possible and to test other City owned facilities.
According to Health Canada, about seven per cent of Canadian homes may have radon levels above Canadian guidelines. Radon is in every home and accumulates in low lying areas like basements. It enters buildings through normal construction seams or cracks in the foundation or dirt floor such as older crawl spaces or ventilation systems. Test kits are available to the public and can be ordered online through the BC Lung Association at Radon Aware webpage or by calling 1-800-665-LUNG (5864).
For more information on radon gas please visit Interior Health’s website at https://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourEnvironment/AirQuality/Pages/RadonGas.aspx.
