Radon Environmental Health Program Health Canada, Alberta Region Bradley Hameister October 4, 2011
Question What is radon? 2
RADON Naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from uranium in the ground It is invisible, odourless, tasteless, and chemically inert Half-life: 3.8 days Can get into your house undetected through cracks in the foundation floor and walls, sump holes and gaps around pipes Second leading cause of lung cancer! 3
EXPOSURE 4
EXPOSURE TO RADON Radon and its decay products contribute more to an individual s exposure to ionizing radiation than any other source! 5
SOURCES OF IONIZING RADIATION
FACTORS AFFECTING RADON EXPOSURE Factors affecting radon levels: season, weather patterns, soil geology, ventilation, entry points for radon, etc. Two identically built homes side-by-side can have very different indoor radon levels. The only way to know is to test! 7
RISK AND HEALTH EFFECTS 8
HEALTH EFFECTS OF RADON Long term exposure to high levels of radon increases your risk of developing lung cancer. Approximately 10% of lung cancers are caused by radon. The risk of developing lung cancer depends on: Radon concentration Duration of exposure Smoking habits Two progeny of radon, polonium-218 and polonium-214, are the main contributors to internal radiation dose. 218 Po and 214 Po are solids that get lodged in the lungs and give off alpha particle radiation. 9
RADIOACTIVE DECAY of RADON ( 222 Rn) http://www.cna.ca/curriculum/cna_general_res/images/facts5.jpg 10
The combined effects of High Radon Concentrations and Smoking create a RISK greater than additive effects of the two exposures separately! 12
RADON EXPOSURE RISK COMPARISON *All accidental deaths includes motor vehicle accidents, drownings, falls, fires and more 13
RADON TESTING 14
TESTING LONG TERM Health Canada recommends long term testing for a minimum of 3 months to maximum of 1 year. Testing your home for radon is simple and inexpensive! Detectors can be purchased at hardware stores, online, and certain general consumer stores. Radon testing can be performed by the homeowner or by a trained radon measurement specialist, for a fee. 15
Why 3-12 months? Radon levels fluctuate between day and night, from one week to the next, from one season to the next and from one year to the next. Short-term fluctuations of 5-10 fold are not uncommon. 16
REDUCING RADON LEVELS IN A HOME 19
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA RADON GUIDELINE
NATIONAL RADON PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 24
1. NATIONAL RADON LABORATORY Goals and Performance Indicators Establish National Radon Laboratory by 2008 # of radon testing service providers who have achieved certification Development of a Canadian Radon Certification program Progress to-date Established in 2007 70+ measurement and 40 mitigation providers have NEHA-NRPP certification National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) expected to launch the Canadian certification program in early spring 2012 more rigorous Quality Assurance requirements Canadian specific measurement and mitigation exams developed 25
1. NATIONAL RADON LABORATORY Goals and Performance Indicators National Building Code Changed by 2015 Development of Radon Guidance Documents Progress to-date Revisions included in 2010 National Building Code released November 2010 rough-in for radon mitigation system 2 guides completed for radon measurement in homes and public buildings Reducing Radon Levels in Existing Homes: A Canadian Guide for Professional Contractors is available on HC s radon website 26
2. RADON TESTING PROJECTS Goals and Performance Indicators 2 surveys of Canadian homes complete by 2011 Progress to-date Small-scale study of radon/thoron in Winnipeg completed in 2008 Cross-Canada Survey of 18,000 homes across Canada over two years 3 month testing in fall/winter heating seasons (9000 each year) Year 1 completed 2009/10 - highlights posted on web 7% of Canadian homes with elevated radon (> 200 Bq/m 3 ) Year 2 testing completed; CCRS Final Report expect to be released by Winter 2011 27
CROSS-CANADA RESIDENTIAL SURVEY GOAL: Recruit ~18,000 participants over two years 3 month testing in fall/winter heating seasons (9000 each year) Recruitment based on health regions - AB was based on the original 9 health regions Final report to be released Winter 2011 Year 1 Results 7% of Canadians living in homes with radon levels above 200 Bq/m 3 (population-weighted) Highest 3 provinces: MB 23.5%, NB 17% and SK 16% of homes above guideline (Yukon highest territory with 16% above) AB 6.9% of homes tested above the guideline 85% (102 of 121) of the Health Regions that participated in year 1 had homes that tested above the Canadian guideline 8 of 9 Alberta health regions had buildings with radon concentrations above 200 Bq/m 3 28
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/radiation/radon/survey-sondage-eng.php
2. RADON TESTING PROJECTS Goals and Performance Indicators 15,000 Federal buildings tested by end of 2010/11 Progress to-date Testing radon levels in federal work places 9000 Federal buildings tested to date ~ 650 buildings for AB, NT and YT Highlights of results to date posted on web As of October 2010 ~ 7% of federal buildings tested are above 200 Bq/m 3 30
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3. MAPPING AND DATABASE Mapping and Database Projects: Development of concept and process for the creation of a radon potential map of Canada Extensive data collection via ground and aerial surveys in partnership with NRCan (including AB) Radon database established in 2007 32
4. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS Goals and Performance Indicators Increase informed level of awareness in 2007 it was only 17% Increase testing and mitigation in Canada Development of radon outreach materials Progress to date 42% general awareness, 49% informed 300,000+ brochure distribution 100% + increase in inquiries 3% - 11% increase in mitigation inquiries Increase DIY test kit availability in retailers & NGOs Increase in certified professionals in Canada (70+ test & 40 mitigation) Radon Educational Toolkit DVD Radon factsheet for smokers 33
KEY MESSAGES 35
RADON IN ALBERTA Radon is everywhere! 8 of 9 health regions have had buildings register an average radon concentration above Health Canada s guideline. Radon is a legitimate concern in the Alberta. Approximately 7% of homes tested in AB had radon concentrations above 200 Bq/m 3 (Cross-Canada Residential Survey). To date approximately 650 federally-occupied buildings have been tested in AB, NT and YT. Nationally, about 7% of federal buildings have tested above 200 Bq/m 3 including AB buildings. 36
CHALLENGES Very low public awareness Albertans least likely to know about radon (PRA Survey conducted on behalf of Health Canada) Perception that radon is not a credible risk Natural not deemed as harmful Limited number of contractors with expertise in radon mitigation in Alberta There are only two certified mitigators in Alberta, both in Calgary 37
ROLE OF CIPHI FOR RADON? Help better inform the public on radon Can give appropriate information to help individuals interested in testing their homes or fixing an existing problem Public Health Inspectors have the ability to reach Albertans in remote locations where other people cannot readily access Relied upon for information on all public health issues including radon Trusted voice within the community Great position to advocate for radon Development of future radon programs in Alberta 38
RADON KEY MESSAGES Radon is a radioactive gas that is produced naturally by the breakdown of uranium in the ground and can get into your home undetected. You can t see it, smell it or taste it. Long-term exposure, especially for smokers, to elevated levels of radon in the home increases your risk of developing lung cancer. The only way to know the radon level in your home is to take a simple and inexpensive test. Long-term testing for a minimum of 3 months is recommended. If the radon level is found to be high, it can be fixed. Health Canada is encouraging all Canadians to test their homes for radon 39
INFORMATION Any person can pose a question on our regional e-mail dedicated to radon: Radon_ABNT@hc-sc.gc.ca Public information on radon can be attained from the Health Canada website: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/radon To find a certified mitigator in your area, please go to: http://www.radongas.org/canada_mitigation.html Regional Radiation Specialist, Bradley Hameister Bradley.hameister@hc-sc.gc.ca, 780-495-4543 40
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