Indoor air quality

Radon is a gas that you can’t see, smell or taste. It comes from the breakdown of uranium present in some rocks and soil. Outside, radon mixes with air to low levels. Radon can also enter homes and buildings through cracks in the foundation and openings in walls that are in contact with the soil. Levels can build up indoors and become a health risk. Breathing in radon over many years increases the risk of lung cancer. Risks are highest for people exposed to both tobacco smoke and radon. The condition of the foundation, air flow in the building and the amount of uranium in the soil all affect radon levels. Usually, the lowest parts of homes and buildings have the highest radon levels.

Watch this video to learn more.

Take Action

To safeguard your loved ones, consider these tips:

1. Test your home for radon:
   • Any home can have radon so it is important to test.
   • Some areas of our region are at higher risk. Check the BC Radon Map to learn more.
   • Use a do-it-yourself radon test kit. Kits come with a detector that should be placed in the lowest level of the home that is used. Leave the detector in place for at least 3 months over winter and up to one full year. Mail the detector to a lab for the results. Results will be reported back in units of Becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m³).
   • You can buy radon test kits from the BC Lung Foundation (online or by calling 1-800-665-5864) and Health Canada (Take Action On Radon).
   • Some libraries lend short-term radon detectors for free. These detectors can give you a glimpse of what the radon levels in your home can be. These tests should always be followed up with long-term testing. You can find short-term detector lending programs at Coquitlam and Fraser Valley Regional libraries and other libraries may also have similar programs.
2. Mitigate (fix) high radon levels:
   • The Health Canada guideline for radon is 200 Bq/m3. Homes with levels between 200 and 600 Bq/m³ should be fixed within two years. Homes with levels above 600 Bq/3 should be fixed within one year.
   • For most homes, fixing radon levels means having a mitigation system installed to vent radon from underneath your home to the outside. After mitigation is done, test again to make sure radon levels have been lowered.
   • Only a qualified radon professional should install radon mitigation systems. You can find a qualified radon professional at Take Action On Radon.
   • The Canadian Lung Association offers a grant to help homeowners with the cost of mitigation.
3. If you smoke, think about quitting:
   • Smoking and radon together greatly increase the risk of lung cancer.
   • Talk to your health care provider about ways to quit smoking.
   • You can get free help to quit or cut down smoking at quitnow.ca.
   • Find more support at fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/smoking.

Find out more

• BC Radon Map
  This map from the BC Centre for Disease Control shows where the risks of having high radon in homes and buildings may be highest. You can also find information on testing and mitigation.
• Take Action on Radon
  This website provides information about a national program funded by Health Canada to raise awareness about radon in Canada. Find out more about testing and mitigation.
• Radon - Reduction Guide for Canadians
  This Health Canada guide explains how to lower radon levels in homes.
• Radon: A Guide for British Columbia Renters
  This BC Lung Foundation guide provides information for renters.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that you can’t see, smell or taste but it can be dangerous. It comes from burning fuels like natural gas, gasoline, oil and wood. In homes, CO can come from poorly vented or faulty appliances like furnaces and fireplaces. Running cars in garages or using outdoor appliances like barbecues indoors can also create high CO levels. Breathing in CO can lead to CO poisoning, which can be life-threatening. Risks are higher in cold months because windows and doors are closed, and air vents can be blocked by debris and ice. People might also use outdoor appliances indoors during power outages. In summer, activities like boating and using camp stoves in spaces without good airflow can also lead to high CO levels.

Take action

• Install CO detectors on every level of your home. CO detectors warn you of high CO levels, just like smoke detectors warn you of fires. You can buy them at most hardware stores.
• Clean and inspect your furnace and fireplace each year.
• Use fuel-burning space heaters only in well-ventilated areas. Electric space heaters are safer because they do not produce CO.
• Do not run vehicles in a garage, even with the garage door open.
• Clear air vents of snow, ice and debris.
• Do not use outdoor fuel-burning appliances indoors during power outages. Check if there are warming centers nearby instead.
• Keep gas-powered generators a safe distance from your home.
• Use gas-powered equipment like leaf blowers and pressure washers only in well-ventilated spaces.
• Do not use portable heaters or lanterns in enclosed areas like tents, camper vans or other vehicles.
• Keep your distance from exhaust coming from gas-powered vehicles, including cars, trucks and boats.

Learn more:

• Overview of carbon monoxide poisoning and ways to prevent carbon monoxide exposure.
  This HealthLink BC webpage provides information on CO poisoning.
• What is carbon monoxide, and why is it dangerous?
  This Technical Safety BC webpage provides useful information on CO, including signs and symptoms of CO poisoning among people and pets.
• Information on carbon monoxide, including safety tips.
  This Office of the Fire Commissioner brochure provides CO safety tips.

Mould is a common indoor air pollutant that grows in damp and humid places. It is made up of fungi that can grow on walls, ceilings, and floors when there is moisture. As it grows, mould releases spores and filaments that can affect health. For people with pre-existing health conditions, breathing in mould can cause health problems like allergies and flare-up of asthma symptoms.

Take action

• Fix leaks and water damage: Fix any leaks in your roof, walls or plumbing right away.
• Ventilate: Make sure your home has good airflow by opening windows when you can. Take measures to prevent children falling from open windows - learn more at our Window Safey webpage. If you have a mechanical ventilation system, make sure that is routinely maintained.
• Use exhaust fans: Always use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to help keep humidity low.
• Clean regularly: Keep your home clean and dry. Wipe up spills and dry wet areas quickly. Regularly clean appliances like washing machines and dishwashers.
• Properly vent appliances: Make sure appliances, such as dryers and stoves, are properly venting to the outdoors.

Find out more

• Indoor air quality: Mould and other biological contaminants
  This HealthLink BC webpage provides information on how to prevent and control mould.
• Mould
  This Health Canada webpage provides information on health risks and signs of mould, and ways to prevent its growth.

Asbestos is a mineral made of tiny fibers. It was widely used in building materials such as floor and ceiling tiles, shingles, house siding, insulation, paints and drywall. It was also used in car parts like clutches and brake pads. Asbestos is not a health concern if left undisturbed. It becomes dangerous when it is broken or damaged, which can happen during renovations, flood clean-ups or demolitions. When disturbed, asbestos releases tiny fibers into the air that can be breathed into the lungs and cause harm. Breathing in asbestos can lead to asbestosis (a long-term lung disease), lung cancer and mesothelioma (a cancer of the lung or abdomen lining).

Asbestos products are not allowed to be made, imported, sold or used in Canada anymore. However, homes and buildings built before 1990 may still have asbestos.

Take action

• Never handle asbestos yourself: Before doing any renovations, flood clean-up, or demolitions, check if asbestos might be present. Materials from before 1990 may have asbestos. The only way to know for sure is to have a professional do an assessment.
• If you find asbestos: Have it removed by a qualified asbestos professional. You can find licensed asbestos contractors at the WorkSafeBC Asbestos Abatement License Registry.
• Before doing car maintenance: Check with your auto parts supplier to see if your car parts might contain asbestos.

Find out more

• Asbestos: When should I worry?
  This HealthLink BC webpage provides information on what asbestos is, who is most at risk of exposure and what to do to make your home safe.
• Asbestos and your health
  This Health Canada webpage provides information on asbestos, including what you can do to reduce your exposure.
• Asbestos: Frequently asked questions for homeowners
  This pamphlet from WorkSafeBC provides information on how to find licensed contractors for asbestos testing and removal, including questions to ask contractors.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) come from some liquids and solids. Examples of VOCs include formaldehyde, ethanol and benzene. Levels tend to be higher indoors than outdoors. Indoors, VOCs can come from:

• Building materials: Paints, adhesives, carpet, vinyl flooring, new furniture and foam.
• Home and personal care products: Air fresheners, cleaning products, aerosol sprays, cosmetics and pesticides.
• Poorly vented or faulty appliances: Fireplaces, wood and gas stoves and furnaces.
• Activities: Smoking, cooking (especially frying), lighting candles and idling vehicles in attached garages.

Different VOCs can cause different health effects. Breathing in some VOCs can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath and skin problems. When breathed in over longer periods such as years, some VOCs can affect organ systems like the liver, kidneys, brain and spinal cord. Some VOCs can also increase the risk of some cancers.

Take action

• Ventilate: Make sure your home has good airflow, especially when using products that contain VOCs, such as paints and glues. If you have new furniture or install new flooring or carpeting in your home, increase ventilation for a few weeks. Open windows and use exhaust fans when you can. Take measures to prevent children falling from open windows – learn more at our Window Safey webpage.
• Use exhaust fans: Always use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to help keep humidity low.
• Use low-VOC products: Look out for products, such as paints, cleaners, and other products may be labelled as being “low-VOC”. If this not possible, aim to use unscented or less scented products.
• Store products safely: Keep paints, cleaners, and other chemicals in tightly sealed containers and store them outside if possible.
• Do not smoke or vape indoors.
• Clean regularly: Dust and vacuum often to reduce VOCs from building materials and furniture.
• Clean and inspect your appliances: Make sure your stove, furnace, and other appliances are properly working and venting to the outdoors.
• Do not run vehicles in a garage, even with the garage door is open.

Find out more

• Indoor air quality: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  This HealthLink BC webpage provides information on where VOCs come from and what can be done to reduce exposure.
• Volatile organic compounds
  This Health Canada webpage provides on the health effects of VOCs as well as sources and ways to reduce exposure in homes.

Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of tiny solid and liquid particles in the air. Some of the smallest particles, called fine particles (or PM2.5), can go deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream to affect other parts of the body. PM2.5 mainly comes from combustion (burning things). In homes, common sources are smoking, vaping, woodstoves, fireplaces, cooking (especially frying), burning candles, pet dander and mould. Outdoors, particles come from traffic emissions, road dust, industry, wildfires and pollen.

In the short term, PM2.5 can cause throat irritation, wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. People with pre-existing conditions like asthma, COPD, heart disease and diabetes are especially vulnerable, along with young children, older adults and pregnant people. Over longer periods, PM2.5 can lead to development of lung and heart disease. It can also increase risk of early death and affect birth outcomes, brain health and mental health.

Take action

• Don't smoke or vape indoors. Check Fraser Health for help to quit.
• Vent and maintain fuel-burning appliances like furnaces, wood or gas stoves and fireplaces.
• Use an exhaust fan when cooking.
• Limit candles and incense indoors.
• Vacuum and clean regularly to remove dust.
• Dust with a damp cloth to avoid spreading particles.
• Open windows for fresh air when the weather is nice, especially if using fuel-burning appliances. Always take measures to prevent children falling from open windows, learn more by visiting fraserhealth.ca/windowsafety.
• Don't idle vehicles in garages, even with the door open.
• Avoid busy roads when walking, running or exercising. Use the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to plan outdoor activities.
• Close windows and doors during poor outdoor air quality, such as wildfire smoke. Keep cool indoors if it is hot.
• Use an air cleaner when outdoor air quality is poor. Portable air cleaners with HEPA filters and homemade box fan air filters can help.

Find out more

• Indoor air quality: Combustion by-products
  This HealthLink BC webpage provides information on particulate matter and other pollutants formed by combustion, including carbon monoxide.
• Guidance for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in residential indoor air
  This Health Canada factsheet provides information on typical levels of fine particles in homes, health effects, and ways to reduce exposure.

You can improve indoor air quality by taking actions such as reducing or getting rid of air pollution sources, ventilating indoor spaces and filtering the air.

Reducing or getting rid of air pollution sources indoors

Examples include:

• Do not smoke or vape indoors
• Make sure that fuel-burning appliances are vented and working properly, including furnaces, wood or gas stoves and fireplaces.
• Do not idle vehicles in garages, even if the door to the outside is open.
• Properly use and store products that have volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and/or scents.

Ventilating indoor spaces.

Examples include:

• Make sure to have fresh air coming in from outdoors by opening windows when the outdoor air quality is good and when temperatures are not too cold or hot. Always take measures to prevent children falling from open windows - learn more at fraserhealth.ca./windowsafety. If your home has a mechanical ventilation system, make sure that is routinely maintained.
• If you have one, maintain your HVAC system. Adjust ventilation settings as needed.
• Always use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms.

When outdoor air quality is poor, such as during wildfire smoke events, limit how much air from outdoors. Learn more at fraserhealth.ca/wildfiresmoke.

Filtering indoor air

Examples include:

• Ensure that filters in your HVAC system are replaced regularly. If possible, use filters with a MERV 13 or higher rating, if possible.
• Use portable HEPA air cleaners and DIY air cleaners to filter particles from the air. Some things to keep in mind: Use them in rooms where you spend the most time and make sure they are properly sized for spaces they are being used in. Learn more: BCCDC Factsheets on Portable Air Cleaners for Wildfire Smoke and Do-It-Yourself Air Cleaners.

Other actions

• Have working smoke and CO detectors in your home.
• Test your home for radon.
• Regularly maintain and clean furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves, and appliances like washing machines.
• Keep your home clean by vacuuming and wet/damp dusting regularly. Consider using vacuums with HEPA filters. Wet/damp dusting helps to prevent re-introducing particles back into the air.
• For more actions to help reduce exposure to wildfire smoke, visit fraserhealth.ca/wildfiresmoke.

Find out more

• Indoor air quality
  This HealthLink BC webpage provides information on why indoor air quality is important, key pollutants, and actions you can take.
• Air quality and health
  This Health Canada webpage provides information on indoor air pollutants and ways to improve air quality in homes.