Health Hazards

Health Hazards

The Health Protection and Promotion Act defines a health hazard as:

• a condition of a premises;
• a substance, thing, plant or animal other than man, or;
• a solid, liquid, gas or combination of any of them;
• that has or that is likely to have an adverse effect on the health of any person.

What are health hazards?

Health hazards are things in your environment that could make you or your family sick. Some examples include:

• Poor air quality: Like smoke, smog, or poor indoor ventilation

• Mould: Found in damp places like basements or bathrooms

• Pests: Rodents, bedbugs, cockroaches and other pests can spread disease or contaminate food

• Radon: A gas you can’t see or smell that can build up in your home over time

How to spot and handle common health hazards

Here’s a closer look at some common problems and what you can do about them:

Air quality

• Why it matters: Breathing in polluted air can make it hard to breathe and hurt your lungs.

• What to do:

• Open windows or use a fan to bring in fresh air

• Try an air purifier if you have one

• Avoid using strong-smelling products like certain cleaners or paints

• Learn more about improving air quality (Health Canada)

Mould

• Why it matters: Mould grows in damp spots and can trigger allergies or breathing problems.

• What to do:

• Fix leaks and remove sources of moisture as soon as possible

• Clean small area of mould with soap and water

• Consult a professional remediation company for larger areas of mould

• Get more information about mould in your home and what to do

Pests

• Why it matters: rodents, bedbugs, cockroaches and other pests can carry diseases and damage food or property

• What to do:

• Seal cracks or holes to deny rodents entry

• Keep food in sealed containers and clean up crumbs

• For more information, please visit our rodents page

Radon

• Why it matters: Radon is an invisible gas that can seep into your home and, over time, increase the risk of lung cancer.

• What to do:

• Use a radon test kit to check your home. Test kits can be purchased online or at hardware stores.

• Call a professional if radon levels are high (200 Bq/m³)

• Learn more about Radon and testing

When should you call Southwestern Public Health?

If you think there’s a health hazard in your home or neighbourhood, call us at 1-800-922-0096.

We can:

• Provide education on how to handle the problem

• Connect you with helpful resources or services

• And possibly investigate the issue and assess the risks

How to take action today

Here are three easy steps you can take now:

1. Learn more: Find out about common risks like mould, air quality, or radon.

2. Fix small problems early: Repair leaks, improve ventilation, and seal cracks to prevent bigger issues later.

3. Ask for help if needed: Call SWPH if you’re worried about a hazard or unsure what to do next.

Need help? Contact us today!

If you’re worried about a health hazard, call 1-800-922-0096 to speak with a Public Health Inspector.