Every year, the month of November is dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in homes. Invisible, colorless and odorless, radon is produced by the decay of uranium in the soil. Once again this year, the City of Vaudreuil-Dorion is making radon detectors available to interested citizens.

This device measures the concentration of this colorless, odorless gas in a home. They are available at a modest cost of $5. Residents interested in obtaining a detector can submit an online request on the Town's website right now. They can then be picked up at the Opticentre St-Jean-Baptiste, on one of two days:

- November 9, 2024, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m;

- November 19, 2024, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

When it infiltrates buildings, particularly basements and poorly ventilated spaces, it can represent a significant health risk.

After tobacco, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada, and the leading cause among non-smokers. Public Health strongly recommends that homeowners test their homes for radon.

The test is carried out using a dosimeter, a device that measures radon concentration over a period of at least three months, ideally during the winter months, when homes are more airtight.

Radon is released into the air and mixes with ambient gases. The natural concentration is then too low to represent a potential danger, but it can infiltrate buildings and accumulate. Depending on the concentration, this can lead to health problems: radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Quebec.

If radon concentration exceeds the safe levels set by Health Canada (200 becquerels per cubic metre), solutions exist to remedy the situation. Mitigation work, such as improving ventilation or installing depressurization systems, can significantly reduce radon levels in the home, thereby protecting the health of its occupants.

For more information on the risks associated with radon, how to measure the gas and mitigation options, consult Health Canada's specialized online resources, or purchase a dosimeter.