Tenants and Radon: Legal Rights, Remedies and Opportunities for Reform

Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas produced by the natural decay of uranium in rocks and soils. It is the second-leading cause of lung cancer (after smoking) and the primary cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. 16 per cent of lung cancer deaths in Canada are attributable to radon exposureâapproximating 3000 people a year. Radon can become trapped and accumulate in buildings, potentially reaching high levels in indoor air (Khan and Gomes, 2017). Canadaâs Legal rights and remedies to respond to radon in Canada are largely inadequate and dispersed across multiple statutes, and where they do exist are focused largely on new construction (Dunn and Cooper, 2015). The Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists works in partnership with multiple organizations concerned about radon, including CAREX Canada, provincial lung associations.

Faculty Supervisor:

Nicholas Blomley

Student:

Noah Quastel

Partner:

Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists

Discipline:

Geography / Geology / Earth science

Sector:

Management of companies and enterprises

University:

Program: