September 13, 2012
Pinchin File No. 01-03-01160
PEI Transportation & Infrastructure Renewal
11 Kent Street
Third Floor, Jones Building
Charlottetown, PE
C1A 7N8
Attention:
Alan Maynard
Re:
Short-Term Follow-up Radon Sampling
Souris Consolidated – Souris, PE
INTRODUCTION
Pinchin LeBlanc Environmental Limited (Pinchin) was requested by Alan Maynard, Director of
Public Works and Planning with PEI Transportation & Infrastructure Renewal to conduct followup radon sampling at Souris Consolidated located in Souris, Prince Edward Island. The
sampling was requested following the installation of radon mitigation systems in the school. The
purpose of the radon mitigation systems is to reduce the radon levels in the building, as the initial
long-term sample results were above Health Canada’s recommended average annual
concentration of 200 Bq/m3. Pinchin was not involved in the initial sampling. Details of the
systems designs can be located in the Pinchin report titled “Radon Mitigation System Design,
Souris Consolidated School” dated June 12, 2012.
The post-mitigation short-term radon sampling was conducted to provide a prompt indication to
determine if the recently installed mitigation systems were effective at reducing the radon levels
in the building. The radon sampling was conducted at Souris Consolidated from August 23 –
August 30, 2012.
BACKGROUND
Radon is a radioactive gas that is colourless, odourless and tasteless. It is formed by the natural
breakdown of uranium in soils, rocks, and water1. Radon levels in outdoor air are diluted to low
concentrations and are not usually a concern. Radon that enters an enclosed space, like a home,
can sometimes accumulate to high levels. Sources of radon in indoor air include transport of soil
1
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (2007). Radon: A Guide for Canadian Homeowners. Canada: Canada
Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Health Canada.
42 DOREY AVENUE, DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA, B3B 0B1 TEL: (902) 461-9999 FAX: (902) 461-9932
SAINT JOHN, NB • ST. JOHN’S, NL • LABRADOR CITY, NL • CORNER BROOK, NL
ISO 9001:2008 Registered Quality System (Dartmouth, NS)
Follow-up Short-term Radon Sampling
Souris Consolidated, Souris, PE
PEI Department of Transportation & Infrastructure Renewal
September 13, 2012
Pinchin File No.: 01-03-01160
gas into basements, domestic use of radon-bearing well water, building materials, and natural gas
supplies2.
Exposure to high levels of radon has been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer,
depending on the length of radon exposure time. Radon is a human health risk due to its decay
products and how they interact with our bodies. Two radon decay products (Polonium 218 and
Polonium 214) are of particular concern because as these radon products further decay they emit
alpha particles. Energy within these alpha particles is absorbed onto surfaces they strike.
Although human skin is thick enough to not be affected by alpha particles they can be breathed
into our lungs. Once in our lungs they can damage bronchial and lung tissue which can lead to
lung cancer3.
There is no current regulation in Canada that states what an acceptable indoor radon level should
be. Health Canada recommends that “remedial measures should be undertaken in a dwelling
whenever the average annual radon concentration exceeds 200 Bq/m3 in the normal occupancy
area”. Health Canada further recommends that whenever remedial measures are undertaken the
radon concentration should be reduced to as low as practicable. This recommendation is
provided because some risk is present at any level of radon exposure.
Health Canada defines the term “dwelling” as a residential home or a public building with a high
occupancy rate. Public buildings would include schools, hospitals, long-term care residences
and correctional facilities. Health Canada defines the term “normal occupancy area” as any part
of the dwelling where a person is likely to spend several hours during the day. Health Canada
defines “as low as practicable” as to what can be achieved with conventional radon reduction
methods in a cost-effective manner. A radon concentration of less than 200 Bq/m3 is easily
achievable with current radon mitigation techniques.
It should be noted that Health Canada’s guideline of 200 Bq/m3 is an average annual
concentration. Therefore in order to make direct comparisons of sample results to the guideline,
long-term measurements are required. Health Canada defines long-term measurements as three
to twelve months in duration. Any measurement collected for less than three months is defined
as a short-term measurement.
METHODOLOGY
Radon measurements were conducted with passive electret ion chambers. An electret ion
chamber consists of an electrostatically-charged disk detector located within a small plastic
chamber. Prior to the test, the voltage on the electrostatic charged disk is recorded and placed
inside the airtight chamber. The chamber is opened to begin the test and radon is diffused
2
3
Health Canada (2007). Government of Canada Radon Guideline
Health Canada (2007): Radon: It’s Your Health
© 2012 Pinchin LeBlanc Environmental Limited
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Follow-up Short-term Radon Sampling
Souris Consolidated, Souris, PE
PEI Department of Transportation & Infrastructure Renewal
September 13, 2012
Pinchin File No.: 01-03-01160
through a filter in the chamber. Radon decay and the further decay of radon decay products,
occurring within the chamber, causes ionization. Ions resulting from the ionization cause the
electret charged disk to lose voltage. At the completion of the test the chamber is closed and sent
to the laboratory who supplied the chamber. At the laboratory the voltage discharge is recorded.
A calibration factor is used to relate the measured voltage drop to the radon concentration.
Health Canada defines long-term measurements as three to twelve months in duration. Any
measurement collected for less than three months (91 days) is defined as a short-term
measurement. The samples were deployed in the school from August 23 – 30, 2012 providing a
total sampling period of 7 days. Therefore this sampling would be classified as short-term.
The sampling was conducted by Meghan Lambert of Pinchin. Meghan is certified as a radon
measurement provider through the National Environmental Health Association – National Radon
Proficiency Program (NEHA – NRPP).
The radon sample was analyzed at the PHH Environmental radon laboratory located in
Winnipeg, Manitoba. PHH Environmental is part of the Pinchin Group. This laboratory is
certified for analysis of E-Perm radon samples through the NEHA – NRPP.
SAMPLE RESULTS
The following table details the results of the short-term radon sampling conducted in Souris
Consolidated. The analytical certificate is attached.
Sample Location
Electret
Number
Test Start Date
Test End Date
Radon
Concentration
(Bq/m3)
Lunchroom 101
SFV052
August 23, 2012
August 30, 2012
118.2
Lunchroom 101 – Duplicate
SFV097
August 23, 2012
August 30, 2012
98.9
Classroom 23
SFV111
August 23, 2012
August 30, 2012
78.2
Classroom 104
SFV429
August 23, 2012
August 30, 2012
92.9
Science Room 105
SFV411
August 23, 2012
August 30, 2012
92.8
G. MacInnis’ Office
SFV432
August 23, 2012
August 30, 2012
96.6
K. Walsh’s Office
SFV178
August 23, 2012
August 30, 2012
103.8
© 2012 Pinchin LeBlanc Environmental Limited
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Follow-up Short-term Radon Sampling
Souris Consolidated, Souris, PE
PEI Department of Transportation & Infrastructure Renewal
September 13, 2012
Pinchin File No.: 01-03-01160
CONCLUSIONS
The short-term radon concentration measured in each sample location was below Health
Canada’s recommended annual average concentration of 200 Bq/m3. Short-term test results
suggest that the radon mitigation systems installed are effective at reducing the radon levels.
A long-term measurement (three to twelve months) should be conducted to ensure radon levels
remain below the guideline. The long-term test will indicate if the mitigation systems are
capable of maintaining reduced radon levels during daily and seasonal variations.
Health Canada recommends that follow-up long-term radon measurements should also be
conducted two years after system activation and at five year intervals thereafter to ensure
continued performance of the systems.
LIMITATIONS
Work performed by Pinchin was conducted in accordance with generally accepted engineering or
scientific practices current in this geographical area at the time the work was performed. No
warranty is either expressed or implied, or intended by the agreement executed with the Client,
or by furnishing oral or written reports or findings. The Client acknowledges that subsurface and
concealed conditions may vary from those encountered or inspected. Pinchin could only
comment on the conditions observed on the date(s) the assessment was performed.
Pinchin makes no other representations whatsoever, including those concerning the legal
significance of its findings or as to other legal matters mentioned in this report, including, but not
limited to, ownership of any property, or the application of any law to the facts set forth herein.
With respect to regulatory compliance issues, regulatory statutes are subject to interpretation and
these interpretations may change over time. Pinchin accepts no responsibility for consequential
financial effects on transactions or property values, or requirements for follow-up actions and
costs.
The liability of Pinchin or its staff will be limited to the lesser of the fees paid or actual damages
incurred by the Client. Pinchin will not be responsible for any consequential or indirect
damages. Pinchin will only be liable for damages resulting from negligence of Pinchin. All
claims by the Client shall be deemed relinquished if not made within two years after last date of
services provided.
Information provided by Pinchin is intended for Client use only. Pinchin will not provide results
or information to any party other than the Client, unless the Client, in writing, requests
information to be provided to a third party or unless disclosure by Pinchin is required by law.
Any use by a third party, of reports or documents authored by Pinchin, or any reliance by a third
party on or decisions made by a third party based on the findings described in said documents, is
© 2012 Pinchin LeBlanc Environmental Limited
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Follow-up Short-term Radon Sampling
Souris Consolidated, Souris, PE
PEI Department of Transportation & Infrastructure Renewal
September 13, 2012
Pinchin File No.: 01-03-01160
the sole responsibility of such third parties. Pinchin accepts no responsibility for damages
suffered by any third party as a result of decisions made or actions conducted.
Should you have any questions or require additional information, please contact either of the
undersigned at our office (902-461-9999).
Yours truly,
PINCHIN LEBLANC ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITED
Prepared by:
Reviewed by:
Shawna McIntyre, B.Sc., P.Eng.
Project Engineer
[email protected]
David Muise, OHST
Senior Occupational Hygienist
[email protected]
Encl.:
Analytical Results
© 2012 Pinchin LeBlanc Environmental Limited
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