Radon exposure and risk of lung cancer

Transcription

1 Radon exposure and risk of lung cancer City of Terrace November 2015 Photo: Radon West Ltd. Doug Quibell, Northern Health Megan Klitch, Canadian Cancer Society

2 2 nd leading cause of lung cancer Can take years to develop cancer No acute symptoms No known health effects other than lung cancer

3 Radon in Northern BC

4 Henderson.pdf

5 Map Credit: Radon Environmental

6 How Radon contributes to Lung Cancer Radon decays Inside the lungs, further breakdown to Alpha particles Alpha particles damage lung cells Cancer potential when lung cells reproduce cancer.ca Image: Health Canada (2012, September 25). What are the Health Effects of Radon? [Image]. Retrieved from:

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9 Risks in Perspective Source: Health Canada (

10 Survey of 1,238 Canadians 96% of Canadians have not tested their homes for radon gas 51% of Canadians said they would move if they were aware that there was radon in their home. Survey conducted by Angus Reid, Oct 2014 cancer.ca

11 Testing Licenced Childcare Facilities A pilot project Community Based Social Marketing Target childcare facilities in PG with expectation to expand to rest of NH region Assess awareness & engagement Evaluate results Distribution of test kits, for free, in all Prince George Licenced Facilities Work with operators and professionals to develop plans for mitigation if/when necessary Educate and inform key stakeholders

12 Measurement & Mitigation Training 36 trained from across BC 11 from northern BC 2 homes remediated With support from:

13 Role of Municipalities Display and distribute educational materials Sell radon test kits City staff radon education Test civic facilities cancer.ca

14 Questions? Doug Quibell Megan Klitch cancer.ca

15 Radon: Northern BC Municipalities & Regional Districts The Canadian Cancer Society encourages BC municipalities to show leadership in educating residents about the risks of radon, making it easier to take action to reduce exposure. Why We Are Working in this Area We believe all Canadians have the right to know if you are being exposed to cancer-causing substances at work, at home or in your environment so you can make informed decisions about your health. Exposure to concentrated levels of radon gas increases a person s risk of developing lung cancer. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second-leading cause of lung cancer for smokers. According to Health Canada, radon is responsible for an estimated 16% of all lung cancer deaths in Canada. With testing and specific building amendments, exposure to high levels of radon can be prevented. What is Radon? Radon is a naturally-occurring odourless, colourless, tasteless, radioactive gas that can build up in your home. It is caused by the natural decay of uranium in rock and soil. Homes and buildings can draw in and concentrate radon gas through construction joints, floor gaps and small holes in walls and drains. Health Canada recommends action is taken to reduce levels that exceed 200 Becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m 3 ), while the World Health Organization recommends reducing levels that exceed 100 Bq/m 3. Radon is present everywhere in Canada and the only way to know if you are at risk is to test your home. Radon Potential in Northern BC Both geological maps of uranium deposits and surveys of residential radon concentrations demonstrate there is a high potential for elevated radon levels in Northern BC. Between 2009 and 2011, Health Canada conducted a nation-wide survey of homes and found the following Northern Regions to have radon levels above the recommended guideline of 200 Bq/m 3 : Northern Interior Health Service Delivery Area (Prince George, Quesnel) 12% Northwest Health Service Delivery Area (Terrace, Smithers, Houston) 5.2% Northeast Health Service Delivery Area (Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, ) 10% Thompson Cariboo Health Service Delivery Area (Williams Lake) 6.4% In 2014, the Canadian Cancer Society supported the BC Lung Association in leading a concentrated survey of 2,000 homes in the City of Prince George. The concentrated survey found 29.3% of the homes tested have levels above the Health Canada recommended guideline. While surveys are useful estimation tools, radon levels depend on many factors including: a building s construction, the condition of a building s foundation, ground soil and aggregate fill, ventilation and weather. Two homes side-by-side could have dramatically different radon levels and the Society recommends everyone should test their home cancer.ca

16 Your Role as a Municipal Government or Regional District Municipalities and Regional Districts are positioned to play a key role in radon awareness. As the major touch-point for homeowners, the Society encourages municipal and regional district offices to consider: Ordering Health Canada informational resources to distribute to homeowners and construction industry professionals. Fact sheets and mitigation guides can be made available at reception, during property tax collection or provided with building permit applications. Stocking radon test kits to sell or distribute. Radon test kits are available through a number of organizations or suppliers, found here: Including radon information in community communications such as websites, newsletters, bulletins, signage and at community events. Communities can remind homeowners to pick up a test kit in October and send it back for analysis in April as well as provide useful links for more information. Homeowners can find a measurement and mitigation professional at or seek more information from Health Canada at Supporting Building Inspectors and Managers in radon education. Radon mitigation is a technical field and Building Officials can benefit from learning the intricacies as they enforce the new 2014 BC Building Code requirements. Courses are available online and in-person for radon measurement, mitigation and new construction at Test civic facilities for radon, mitigating if levels above Health Canada s actionable guidelines. More resources specific to municipalities, including a community poster, media release template and fact sheet are available at Radon Aware and at Take Action on Radon. For more information, contact your local Canadian Cancer Society Health Promotion Coordinator, Megan Klitch at: mklitch@bc.cancer.ca or Key Facts about Radon Testing and Mitigation Testing is relatively simple and inexpensive. Testing can be done by a 3 month do-it-yourself kit or by a C-NRPP certified measurement professional. October to April is the best time to test. All homes are different, but all homes can be fixed. Radon levels should be reduced as low as reasonably achievable. Radon remediation should be done in consultation with a C-NRPP certified radon mitigation specialist. Radon and the BC Building Code: 2014 Amendments Effective December 19, 2014, the new BC Building Code amendments to Article require AREA 1 communities to provide a more adaptable substructure for future radon mitigation. The requirements for new home construction do not prescribe a full mitigation system and it is imperative that homeowners test for radon upon occupancy and if necessary, consult with a trained professional to upgrade to an active depressurization system. AREA 1 encompasses the majority of the Northern and Southern regions of British Columbia. For reference, the full information bulletin (No. B14-07) from the BC Building and Safety Standards Branch is available here: cancer.ca