Air quality
Outdoor air quality
When outdoor air quality is poor or a smog warning (yellowish fog comprising gas and particles) is in effect, your health may deteriorate. The effects of air pollution vary depending on the sensitivity of each individual.
To learn more about precautions in the event of poor outdoor air quality, see:
To learn more about outdoor air quality and your health, see:
Indoor air quality
Poor indoor air quality in your home, workplace, recreational area or child care and school environment can be harmful to your health.
The air inside a building may deteriorate in the presence of contaminants: physical (e.g., dust), chemical (e.g., carbon monoxide) or biological (e.g., mould).
To learn more about indoor air quality and your health, see:
Radon
Radon is an odourless, colourless, natural radioactive gas. It is the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon concentrations in homes in the Outaouais are higher than in other parts of Québec. The only way to know if radon is present in your home is to measure radon levels with a device.
The heating season is the ideal time for measuring radon in your home.
You can measure radon in your home yourself (following the instructions carefully) or by calling on a C-NRPP-certified professional. If you choose an electronic radon monitor, be sure to choose a model recommended by Health Canada and the C-NRPP.
If the radon level measured is higher than the Health Canada guideline, there are effective solutions to reduce it.
What you need to know about radon in 1 min. 30 sec. with Health Canada:
(Source: MétéoMédia, November 3, 2025, with permission) [In French only]
To learn more about radon, see:
- Government of Québec: Residential radon
- Government of Canada. Radon gas: it’s in your home
- Take Action on Radon
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO), is a clear, odourless and tasteless toxic gas. It does not irritate the eyes or respiratory tract. Inhaling carbon monoxide can be dangerous to health and even lead to death. Only a functioning carbon monoxide warning device can detect the presence of this gas and warn you.
When the alarm sounds, it is important to know what to do.
To learn more about carbon monoxide and what to do when an alarm sounds, see: