Ontario Construction News staff writer
As part of a study conducted by the Occupational Cancer Research Centre, 45 radon detectors were placed in 18 City of Greater Sudbury buildings from December 2022 to March 2023.
Results received on July 18 showed that one location – the west side of the basement at the Onaping Community Centre – had a radon reading of 263 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3). This is higher than the Canadian guideline for indoor dwellings, which is 200 Bq/m3.
“The Radiation Safety Institute of Canada has indicated there is no immediate danger to past or current users of the area and no need to evacuate or stop using the area,” the city said in a news release. “However, in an abundance of caution, the city is temporarily closing the basement while remediation work is done. The area will be retested once mitigation measures have been implemented.”
The other 44 radon detectors – including three others within the Onaping Community Centre – recorded levels that fall within the Canadian guidelines. Five of those showed readings between 100-200 Bq/m3.
City officials say staff will explore mitigation measures for these areas to reduce levels as much as possible.
Updates will be provided throughout the remediation process.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive material that is produced during a decay process from the radioactive element uranium, which can be found globally in soil, bedrock and mineral deposits. The Greater Sudbury area is said to be within the elevated radon hazard range.