Radon
Environmental Health Program
Health Canada, Alberta Region
Bradley Hameister
October 4, 2011
Question
What is radon?
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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!
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EXPOSURE
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EXPOSURE TO RADON
Radon and its decay products
contribute more to an individual’s
exposure to ionizing radiation than
any other source!
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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!
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RISK AND HEALTH
EFFECTS
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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.
•
218Po
and 214Po are solids that get lodged in the lungs and give off
alpha particle radiation.
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RADIOACTIVE DECAY of RADON (222Rn)
http://www.cna.ca/curriculum/cna_general_res/images/facts5.jpg
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The combined effects of High Radon Concentrations and Smoking
create a RISK greater than additive effects of the two exposures
separately!
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RADON EXPOSURE RISK COMPARISON
*All accidental deaths includes motor vehicle accidents, drownings, falls, fires and more
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RADON TESTING
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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.
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Radon levels fluctuate between day and night, from one week to
the next, fromWhy
one season
to the next and from one year to the
3 -12 months?
next. Short-term fluctuations of 5-10 fold are not uncommon.
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REDUCING RADON
LEVELS IN A HOME
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GOVERNMENT OF CANADA RADON GUIDELINE
NATIONAL RADON
PROGRAM –
HIGHLIGHTS
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1. NATIONAL RADON LABORATORY
Goals and Performance
Indicators
Establish National Radon Laboratory by
2008
Progress to-date
Established in 2007
# of radon testing service providers who
have achieved certification
70+ measurement and 40 mitigation
providers have NEHA-NRPP
certification
Development of a Canadian Radon
Certification program
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
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1. NATIONAL RADON LABORATORY
Goals and Performance
Indicators
Progress to-date
National Building Code Changed
by 2015
Revisions included in 2010 National
Building Code – released November 2010
rough-in for radon mitigation system
Development of Radon Guidance
Documents
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
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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/m3)
Year 2 testing completed; CCRS Final
Report expect to be released by Winter
2011
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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/m3 (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/m3
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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/m3
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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
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4. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
Goals and Performance
Indicators
Progress to date
Increase ‘informed level’ of
awareness – in 2007 it was only
17%
42% general awareness, 49%
‘informed’
300,000+ brochure distribution
100% + increase in inquiries
3% - 11% increase in mitigation
inquiries
Increase testing and mitigation in
Canada
Increase DIY test kit availability in
retailers & NGOs
Increase in certified professionals in
Canada (70+ test & 40 mitigation)
Development of radon outreach
materials
Radon Educational Toolkit DVD
Radon factsheet for smokers
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KEY MESSAGES
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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/m3 (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/m3 including AB buildings.
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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
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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
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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
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INFORMATION
Any person can pose a question on our regional e-mail dedicated
to radon:
[email protected]
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
[email protected], 780-495-4543
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