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RADON KEY MESSAGES

Health Canada’s National Radon Program K elley Bush/Jeff Whyte May 28 2010 11:30 AM Canadian Home Builders’ Association- Technical Research Committee. RADON KEY MESSAGES.

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RADON KEY MESSAGES

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  1. Health Canada’s National Radon ProgramKelley Bush/Jeff Whyte May 28 2010 11:30 AM Canadian Home Builders’ Association-Technical Research Committee

  2. RADON KEY MESSAGES • Radon is a 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. • Health Canada is encouraging all Canadians to test their homes for radon

  3. RADON KEY MESSAGES • Homes should be tested using a long-term test device for a minimum of 3 months, ideally in the fall and winter timeframe. • The current Canadian guideline for radon in indoor air is 200 Bq/m3 • If the radon level is found to be high, it can be fixed. • Protecting your family’s health from the risk of radon exposure starts with learning more (or alternatively starts with testing).

  4. RADON EXPOSURE RISK COMPARISON *All accidental deaths includes motor vehicle accidents, drownings, falls, fires and more

  5. 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.

  6. THE NATIONAL RADON PROGRAM

  7. NATIONAL RADON PROGRAM • National Radon Laboratory • 2. Radon Testing Projects • 3. Database and Mapping • 4. Radon Research • 5. Education and Public Awareness

  8. 1. NATIONAL RADON LABORATORY • Equipped with a variety of detection equipment (E-Perm, alpha track, continuous radon monitors) • Provides Rn analyses for testing projects and research support • Provides technical expertise and advice for Rn measurement • National Building Code • Certification of Measurement and Mitigation Professionals

  9. 1. NATIONAL RADON LABORATORY • 2010 National Building Code (NBC) • Joint task group was formed focused on Protection against Radon Ingress – HC was a member • Tasked to review current Rn requirements, and recommend changes for 2010 version of NBC • Task group recommendation – for ALL new homes in Canada • Gravel aggregate and vapor barrier under the slab and rough-in for active sub-slab depressurization • Status : Changes to appear in the 2010 version of NBC to be released in early 2011

  10. 1. NATIONAL RADON LABORATORY Canadian Certification Program • Health Canada currently recognizes the credentials from NEHA-NRPP and NRSB • Canada’s certification program is being developed in partnership with NEHA, NRSB and the Standards Council of Canada • Progress to date: • Canadian measurement and mitigation exams completed • Course curriculum for measurement and mitigation is in development • Have begun engagement with Canadian training organizations to encourage course development and availability

  11. 1. NATIONAL RADON LABORATORY Canadian Certification Program • Canada’s program will differ in: • Units of measurement Bq/m3 vs pCi/L • Long term testing recommended • Not tied to real estate transactions • Differences based on Canadian geology and climate • QA/QC plans required from Measurement professionals • More frequent proficiency testing (annual) • Measurement labs will require higher levels of lab accreditation • Pre- and post-mitigation results will be harvested from Mitigation professionals as a metric for demonstrating ongoing competence Health Canada will offer a grandfathering period for those certified through NEHA-NRPP and NRSB

  12. 1. NATIONAL RADON LABORATORY • Radon Mitigation Guide • Health Canada in partnership with international stakeholders has completed a final draft of a radon mitigation guide • Members of the review committee included representation from EPA, AARST, CMHC, Public Health Services, provincial housing, renovations / plumbing industry and academia • Internal approval process will begin next month. • The final guide should be completed and available on the HC website late summer / early fall.

  13. 2. RADON TESTING PROJECTS Federal building testing • Tested approximately 2300 buildings to-date • Most are fairly simple buildings (1-3 storey) • To date radon levels in high rises have been low - no evidence of a stack effect can be seen yet • 9% of buildings tested have been >200 Bq/m3, almost all are 1-2 storey house-type buildings in radon rich areas • No high rise (5 or more floors) with a building average >200 Bq/m3 to-date

  14. 2. RADON TESTING PROJECTS • Cross-Canada residential radon survey • Recruit 18,000 homes across Canada over a 2 year period • 3-month test during the fall/winter heating season • Year 1 is almost complete, recruitment for year 2 begins this summer • Contractor’s Role: • Participant recruitment and follow up • Analysis of questionnaire results and reporting Health Canada’s Role • Mail out Rn test kit and instructions, and provide analysis/results to homeowners

  15. 2. RADON TESTING PROJECTS • Cross-Canada residential radon survey • For year 1 we expect to achieve a return rate of around 75% • Radon is being found in areas previously known as radon-rich, and in many other areas not previously surveyed • A year 1 summary report will be made available over the next few months, and final report will be completed after year 2 • Information will be based on geographic areas (provinces/territories and/or Health Regions), and will show % homes above 200 Bq/m3 and % homes above 600 Bq/m3

  16. 3. Rn DATABASE & MAPPING • Radon maps will be based on a variety of data: • ground-based uranium from aerial surveys, radon in soil, soil permeability, soil geochemistry, geology and indoor radon concentrations • Aerial surveys continue this year in southern Alberta and southern Saskatchewan • More soil gas testing in a few large urban centres • Maps to be used by government to: • more effectively inform Canadians • prioritize outreach and education efforts • Encourage testing and remediation, where necessary • Map will not be published – can lead to misinterpretation • Should not be used as a tool to decide about testing • All Canadians should test their home

  17. 4. RADON RESEARCH New potential measurement techniques • Ex. Solid state Rn detector (silicon chip) • Use of Pb-210 in dust to determine exposure levels • More effective radon absorbents for mitigation • Exhalation of radon from building materials • Assessed that granite represents a very small contribution to overall radon levels in most homes • Possibility of other radon surveys in conjunction with various organizations or stakeholders

  18. 5. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS E&A - PROGRESS TO-DATE • Extensive stakeholder engagement and partnership development • New co-branded radon factsheet • Testing products available in retailers • New radon web pages- 88% increase in web traffic in 2009 • Earned media campaign launched fall 2009 • Regionally focused outreach programs via NGOs • Environmental Health Guide campaign – radon will be a highlighted issue • 100%+ increase in public inquiries in 2009

  19. 5. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS • 2010-2011 E&A ACTIVITIES • Outreach via NGOs • Outreach via Health professionals • Outreach via retailers – brochure distribution, advertisements, POP • Participation in conferences, workshops, and events across Canada • Development of a Stakeholder information Kit • Targeted mailer to health professionals in partnership with the Canadian Medical Association

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