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Government Grant Assistance with Mitigation Costs
Lastly, we want to remind you of the details of the Radon Mitigation Grant. The Canadian Lung Association has a radon mitigation grant of $1500 towards the cost of a radon mitigation system. This is intended to help homeowners who can't afford radon mitigation. In order to qualify for this grant, a homeowner must provide a radon report of 91 days duration or longer using an approved device (such as an Alpha track detector - a test using a consumer-grade electronic radon monitor will not qualify ). Homeowners must apply with a quote from a certified C-NRPP professional prior to getting any work done ,and they must show proof of qualification which includes proof of income below the criteria or lung cancer diagnosis. I've attached a sheet of easy to print and cut information about the grant. You can find more information online here: https://www.lung.ca/lungs-matter-radon-mitigation-support (the application link is on the red bar).
Requirements for application
- a Radon measuremetn of 91 days or longer using a C-NRPP approved device
-apply with a quote from a C-NRPP professional BEFORE starting the mitigation work
-Proof of eligibility including proof of income or lung cancer diagnosos
APPLY ONLINE HERE: www.form.jotform.com/221705460287253
The Canadian Lung Cancer Association has recently launched a new grant program to help people across Canada afford radon mitigation services.
The Lungs Matter Grant Program aims to provide financial support to individuals who have been diagnosed with Lung Cancer and individuals considered a low-moderate income housolds with priority given to the low-income houshold.
Canadian Lung Canver Association Radon MItigation Grant: https://www.lung.ca/lungs-matter-radon-mitigation-support
Basic Radon Facts
Being exposed to Radiation due to elevated levels of radon gas increases a person's chance of developing lung Cancer.
Smokers who are exposed to elevated levels of radon have an even greater chance of developing lung cancer than if they are just smokers.
According to Health Canada's survey some regions in Canada have up to 44% of the homes above the guideline. Radon is present in every building, but the concentration is higher in some.
Though most of the surveys have been done in homes, Radon is also present in workplaces and commercial buildings.
Building Codes
The current National Building Code requires measures to ensure that cost effective steps are taken at the time of construction to ensure that the effective Radon Mitigation can be installed in the future, if testing reveals unacceptable levels of Radiation due to Radon gas inside the home.
The Code Includes
- Gravel layer under the slab
- Sealed slab edges
- Sealed sump pit
- Well sealed membrane around the foundation, all posts and all entry points
- Rough in pipe
These Measures Do Not Fix Radon. They will make an active radon mitigation system quieter, more efficient, and more effective. If a post occupancy radon test reveals the presence of high Radon the system requires activation by a C-NRPP certified Radon Professional.
For This Code To Be Effective:
- Homeowners need to know they still have to test for Radon and activate the system if they have high levels by having a C-NRPP professional activate the system.
- The code needs to be adopted by the province and municipality
- The code needs to be enforced by the building inspectors
- The builders need to understand what the measures are and why they are required.
Homeowners also need to be aware that:
- They need these measures for their home
- They need to TEST their home for Radon once they move in, as these measures don't fix Radon, they are the rough-in for a full active system, if radon levels are elevated.
Protecing Low-Income Canadians
- Providing grants or access to low interest loans would help Canadians access the finances they need to make their home safe.
- Ensuring LAndlords test theri homes before being granted a rental licence will ensure that tenants are protected.
- Cahnges to the labour Code to ensure that Canadian Workplaces are tested and made Radon Safe.
Make sure builders in your community know and follow the current National Building Code.
Over the last few years, exposure to radon gas as a potential concernfor new home buyers has recieved heightened media attention. Health Canada issued a report in 2012 -- suggesting that up to 16% of lung cancer cases could be attributed to long term exposure to radon gas.
Tarion clarified the impact that radon gas issues would have on a home's warranty coverage. If radon gas is found in a home in significant amounts, it will be covered by tarion. To assist Tarion employees in making consistant warranty descisions related to radon gas, a guideline has been developed when dealing with the potential radon-related claims. The reported defect must be that Radon Gas is in excess of Health Canada's acceptable levels of 200Bq/m3, in order for it to be covered by Tarion. These guidelines account for the Ontario Building Code requirements for Radon and soil gas contral.
Warranty Coverage for Radon Claims
1st year: fit for habitation (if radon levels are >200 Bq/m3)
OBC Violations (if the home is not in compliance with 9.1.1.7, 9.13.4.2, and Radon levels are >200 Bq/m3
2nd year: OBC Health and Safety (if the home is not in compliance with 9.1.1.7, 9.13.4.1, or 9.13.4.2, and Radon levels >200 Bq/m3)
Years 3-7 MSD coverage (if the home is not in compliance with 9.1.1.7, 9.13.4.1, or 9.13.4.2, and Radon levels 200 Bq/m3
A valid Radon claim could potentially be covered by the first year warranty, under the "fit for habitation" criteria or if the home is not in compliance with the OBC guidelines. It could also be potentially covered by the second year warranty if the home does not meet the OBC guidelines. In addition, given the heightened awareness of the potential risks posed by the radon contamination, a claim could fall within the definatition of a Major Structural Defect should the problem be considered one that renders the home uninhabitable.
What Warranty Limits Apply to Radon Claims
Claims that involve radon are limited in the following ways:
In addition Radon claims paid by Tarion are limited by a financial cap. The financial cap on Radon related claims is set out as follows.
"... the maximum amount payable (...) for damage caused by environmentally harmful substances or hazards, deleterious substances, mould or any other fungal or bacteria contamination, is $15,000.00 per home"
The limit will apply to repairs to remediate a radon problem carried out by Tarion.
In order fro a Radon claim to be accepted, the home owner must provide the following supporting materials:
If the above information indicates average Radon levels > 200 Bq/m3 as indicated in a short-term test, then further investigation is required in the form of a long term test.
If the above information indicates average radon levels >200 Bq/m3 as indicated in a long-term test, then the information is deemed acceptable and the case may proceed to remediation.
The bulletin was put out by Tarion.
Home owners in most cases through conversation I have found out do not have knowledge of this information from their builders.
