Bob Aaron in Legal
I've always found it strange that the organized real estate community in Ontario is still highly concerned about urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) in houses, years after it was proved that it carries no health risks, and yet radon gas and other environmental contaminants – which exist in many homes and can be fatal – are hardly ever mentioned in residential purchase agreements.
For several decades, the standard Ontario Real Estate Association agreement of purchase and sale has contained a warranty that the seller has not insulated the house with UFFI. This, despite the fact that 15 years ago a Quebec court ruled, after an eight-year trial, that there was no basis for fear of health risks and no justification for removing UFFI from houses.
Radon, on the other hand, has one known health risk – exposure above certain levels increases the risk of developing lung cancer.
A detailed guide on the website of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., CMHC, explains that radon is a radioactive gas that is colourless, odourless and tasteless. It is formed by the breakdown of uranium, a natural radioactive material found in soil, rock and ground water.
When radon escapes from the ground into the outdoor air, it gets diluted and is not a concern.
But when it seeps from the ground into an enclosed, unventilated space like a house, it can sometimes accumulate to high levels and contaminate the inside air.
