RADON IN CANADA Tina Szewczyk RRT FCSRT CAE Registered Respiratory Therapist April 7, 2017 www.takeactiononradon.ca

What is Radon? Radon comes from the natural breakdown from uranium in the soil Every home and building has radon, the question is how much www.takeactiononradon.ca

How Radon Gets in a Home or Building Factors that influence radon levels: Soil characteristics Construction type (amount of contact with the soil, number and size of entry points) Foundation condition (cracks, openings) Occupant lifestyle (exhaust fans, ventilation units, windows, fireplaces) Weather www.takeactiononradon.ca

Health Effects of Radon Exposure 1 Radon gas breaks down to form radioactive elements that can be inhaled into the lungs... 2 ...the radioactive elements continue to break down... 3 ...and create radioactive particles that damages lung tissue cells. When damaged lung cells reproduce = lung cancer www.takeactiononradon.ca

Exposure to Radon Increases Your Risk of Developing Lung Cancer Radon is responsible for 16% of all lung cancer deaths in Canada. www.takeactiononradon.ca

Radon in Canada Health Canada radon testing in Canadian households Study period: 2009-2011 (results published in March 2012) 13,976 households tested Alpha-track detectors (average test period = 95 days) www.takeactiononradon.ca

Percentage of Homes in Canada Above 200 Bq/m3 Canada average = 6.9% 19.6% 5.4% 5.1% 5.7% 3.9% 19.4% 15.7% 8.2% 3.5% 4.6% 10.7% 20.6%

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Radon Testing www.takeactiononradon.ca

Radon Testing Two options: Contact a C-NRPP-certified Radon Measurement Professional Obtain a do-it-yourself radon test kit Radon Measurement Professional certified by the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program List of certified professionals in your area: www.c-nrpp.ca Available at hardware stores or from local organizations (such as the Lung Association) Long-term test (at least 3 months) Ask about lab processing fees Place detector on lowest living level of your home, in a room where you spend at least 3-4 hours a day. www.takeactiononradon.ca

Find a Radon Test Kit or C-NRPP Radon Professional Near You www.takeactiononradon/test www.takeactiononradon.ca

Health Canada radon action guideline = 200 Bq/m3 Reducing Radon Levels Health Canada radon action guideline = 200 Bq/m3 While the health risk from radon exposure below the Canadian Guideline is small, there is no level that is considered risk-free. It is the choice of each home or building owner to decide what level of radon exposure they are willing to accept. www.takeactiononradon.ca

C-NRPP Radon Reduction Methods Sealing cracks and openings Ventilation Active Soil Depressurization Radon reduction should be undertaken by a Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP)-certified Radon Mitigation Professional www.takeactiononradon.ca

Radon Reduction Methods Sealing major entry routes for radon such as open sumps, floor drains, floor wall joints, exposed soil, voids in concrete block walls and foundation wall and floor cracks. Increasing mechanical ventilation of the home with heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or energy recovery ventilator (ERV) systems. www.takeactiononradon.ca

Active soil depressurization (or sub-slab depressurization) A pipe with a fan attached, is installed through the foundation floor and connected to the outside through an exterior wall or up through the roof. This system draws the radon from below the house to the outside to stop it from entering the home. This is the most common method of radon reduction when large reductions are necessary. Can reduce the radon concentrations in a home by over 90%. Costs range from about $2000 - $3000 including material and labour. There is also a small operating cost for electricity for the fan (approx. $50-$75 per year depending on the size of fan and energy rates) Must be installed by a C-NRPP- certified Radon Mitigation Professional www.takeactiononradon.ca

PREVENTING RADON IN NEW HOMES The 2010 National Building Code (NBC) includes requirements that address radon. Sealed plastic membrane under the foundation slab, have granular fill under the slab and have a rough- in for a future radon reduction system if needed. www.takeactiononradon.ca

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