What is Mould and Mildew?

Mould and mildew are fungi that grow in damp, humid places and need to be stopped by fixing moisture problems. Moisture comes from water leaks, rain, or daily activities such as cooking, showering and laundry. Poor ventilation, water damage, and high humidity can lead to mould growth, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, and on materials like wood, drywall, carpet, and fabric.

While mould is a natural part of the environment, having it in your home can cause health problems and damage your property. Keeping your home dry is the best way to prevent it.

Mould and Your Health

Being around mould and mildew can make you sick, especially if you have allergies or asthma. Common symptoms include;

• sneezing
• coughing
• runny or stuffy nose
• skin rash
• itchy eyes

For people with asthma, mould can make it harder to breathe or trigger asthma attacks.

If you are around mould for a long time, you might also feel tired, get headaches, or have sinus infections. Some people may even experience more serious health issues.

Children, babies, older adults, and pregnant women are at a higher risk of getting sick from mould.

Resources for Renters

Mould is a sign that there is too much moisture in your home, and the source of that moisture must be fixed to prevent mould from growing or spreading. To reduce moisture, ensure proper ventilation when showering or cooking, and consider using a dehumidifier to help with moisture caused by daily activities. However, if the moisture is due to a water leak, poor ventilation, or a structural issue, contact your landlord.

If your landlord doesn’t act, refer to your local Municipal Contacts to speak to someone in property standards. In Ontario, the Rental Housing Enforcement Unit (RHEU) can investigate issues like unsafe living conditions, including mould, if they relate to violations of the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). You can also get information about your rights as a renter from the Landlord and Tennant Board.

If mould is making you sick or unsafe, there may be legal options. Keep records of all your conversations with your landlord about the mould problem. For additional advice, see resources from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) at: Indoor Air Quality – Moulds and Fungi.

Resources for Homeowners

If you own a home and find mould, it is important to deal with it quickly to keep your family safe. First, look for any sources of moisture, like leaks or areas that are too humid. For small patches of mould (less than 1 square meter), you might be able to clean it yourself using household cleaners and wearing gloves and a mask. If the mould is larger or you are not sure how to handle it, consider hiring a professional who knows how to remove mould safely.

Contact RCDHU for advice on cleaning methods. There are also helpful guides from the Canada Mortage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) at: Mould in Housing-CMHC.

Additional Resources

• Mould – Health Canada
• Guide to addressing moisture and mould indoors – Health Canada
• Air Quality Health Index – Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks
• Air Quality in your home – Canadian Lung Association
• Improve indoor air quality in your home – Health Canada
• Rental Housing Enforcement Unit provides guidance and resolution support to both landlords and tenants. Toll-free number: 1-888-772-9277

Renfrew County and District Health Unit plays a crucial, proactive and reactive role in ensuring safe water quality, working alongside the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and Public Health Ontario (PHO) to protect residents from water-borne illness. Responsibilities span from monitoring private wells and public beaches, to regulating small drinking water systems and managing emergency water advisories.

For more information, visit our page: Safe Water.

To learn about ticks and mosquitos and the potential diseases they can carry, as well as RCDHU’s vector-borne disease surveillance programs, visit our page: Infections – Lyme Disease and Other Tick Borne Infections.

What is radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released when uranium in soil and/or rock breaks down. Radon is invisible, odourless and tasteless. Radon does not tend to be a health issue outdoors, as atmospheric mixing dilutes the gas to low concentrations. However, in a confined space – like a basement – radon can accumulate to elevated levels, which can present a health risk.

Radon exposure

Radon can seep into a building through dirt floors, cracks in foundations or concrete, sump pumps, joints and basement drains. Well water can also contain trapped radon, which may be released into the air when water is drawn.

The air pressure inside your home is usually lower than in the soil surrounding the foundation. This difference in pressure draws air and other gases, including radon, from the soil into your home. Radon levels are generally higher in areas where there is a higher amount of uranium in underlying rock and soil and may be higher in homes that have been made more airtight without also ensuring that the fresh air supply is sufficient.

Radon concentrations vary a great deal across Canada, making it difficult to predict radon levels in any one home or building.

Radon and your health

When a radioactive gas, like radon, is inhaled, it naturally breaks down into radioactive particles that can be trapped in your lungs when you breathe in. This may cause damage to lung tissue, which can develop into lung cancer over the course of a lifetime.

The health risks from radon exposure are long-term and often depend on three things:

• The level of radon in your home or building
• The length of time you are exposed to radon
• Your smoking habits or exposure to second-hand smoke

Exposure to radon and tobacco use together can significantly increase your risk of lung cancer.

Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Exposure to high levels of radon in indoor air results in an increased risk of developing lung cancer. The risk of cancer depends on the level of radon and how long a person is exposed to those levels.

Radon testing

The only way to know if you are being exposed to radon gas is to test for it. Testing for radon is easy and affordable. Health Canada suggests that you use a long-term radon detector for a minimum of three months.

For information on testing for radon in your home, visit: Take Action on Radon.

What is the acceptable level of radon in my home?

The  Health Canada guideline for radon in indoor air for dwellings is 200 Becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m³), or less.

Radon remediation

If your radon test result is above the Canadian guideline of 200 Bq/m3, you should hire a certified radon professional to determine the best and most cost effective way to reduce the radon level in your home.

For more information, please visit Government of Canada: Reducing radon levels in your home.

Additional Information

• Health Canada – Radon
• Health Canada – Take Action on Radon
• Health Canada – Testing for Radon 
• Health Canada – Find a Radon Professional
• Canadian Lung Association – Radon
• Government of Ontario – Radon in the workplace

Renfrew County and District is home to invasive species and important hazardous plants. Two key plants that are harmful to your health that you need to be aware of is Giant Hogweed and Wild Parsnip.

Learn more at:

• Giant Hogweed – Government on Ontario
• Wild Parsnip – Government of Ontario

The septic system is a cheap and efficient way of sewage disposal. But when it is abused or neglected, the septic system can stop working when you need it the most, like during the winter months. A septic system may stop working properly because of a poor location, bad construction, lack of attention, and overloading.

Inspecting Your Tank

Please see the following tips for inspecting your tank:

• Inspect the tank once a year to see how much sludge and scum is in the tank.
• Do not use matches or open flame, as explosive gases may cause injury.
• Do not place your head into the tank.

Tanks under normal working conditions should be pumped about once every 3 to 5 years by a licensed sewage disposal company. The build-up of scum on the surface and sludge on the bottom will plug the tank and will eventually plug the leaching bed too.

Learn more at Government of Ontario’s: Septic Systems