NNational Radon ational Radon ProgramProgram Radiation Health Assessment DivisionRadiation Health Assessment Division

Radiation Protection BureauRadiation Protection Bureau

CHBA meetings

October 28, 2011

• If the radon level is found to be high, it can be fixed easily and at a reasonable cost

• 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.

Health Canada is encouraging all Canadians to test their homes for radon

RADON KEY MESSAGES

1. NATIONAL RADON LABORATORY

• Equipped with a variety of detection equipment (E-Perm, alpha track, continuous radon monitors)

• Provides radon analyses for testing projects and research support

• Provides technical expertise and advice for radon measurement• National Building Code• Certification of Measurement and Mitigation Professionals

National Radon Laboratory

• Launched Federal Building Testing Program – over 8000 buildings tested to date: 5.5% of results above the guideline

• Launched cross Canada residential radon testing project – ~14,000 homes tested

– 93% (112 of 121) of the Health Regions that participated had homes that tested above the Canadian guideline

– ~ 7% of Canadian homes exceed the guideline level

• New 2010 National Building Codes for protection against radon

• Development of a Canadian Certification Program

National Radon Laboratory

Year 1 Results Population Weighted % Homes >200 Bq/m3

AB 6.9%

BC 4.6%

MB 23.5%

NB 17.0%

NL 5.3%

NS 8.2%

NT 4.0%

Cross-Canada Residential Radon Survey

Year 2 – Data analysis is in progress, results appear similar

Data analysis and report/papers will be written this fall/winter, to be published when approved

NU 0.0%

ON 4.9%

PE 4.5%

QC 9.0%

SK 15.8%

YT 15.9%

Mitigation Guide-Highlights

The guide has been written for professional contractors and includes:

• An Overview of Radon• Confirming the Radon Test was Carried Out Properly• An Overview of Radon Reduction Systems

Ventilation Methods and Sealing Exposed Soil. Sub-Slab Depressurisation Sump and Drainage System Depressurization

• Fan and pipe installation• Building codes and radon mitigation • Post installation testing• Safety precautions

Where Does Radon Come From?

How Does Radon Enter Houses?

The rate at which soil gas enters a building depends on: • resistance of the soil to gas movement- soil type and structure,

soil moisture, and freezing

• foundation design and construction

• the pressure differences between the house and the soil. The radon supply rate (Bq/h) depends on the soil gas entry rate

and the radon concentration in the soil gas. This is typically 40 to 80 kBq/m3, so a flow of 1 m3/hour can produce concentrations of >200 Bq/m3 in a house.

Entry Routes

Poured Concrete BasementBlock Walls

Mitigation Methods

The radon concentration in living spaces can be reduced by:

• increasing the ventilation rate in the living space or adjacent spaces to dilute the radon as it enters.

• changing the internal air circulation patterns to intercept air containing radon before it enters the living space, and diverting it to the outdoors.

• by decreasing the flow of soil gas into the house through the foundation. This can be done by:

-closing openings through the foundation to the soil;

-decreasing the pressure in the soil beneath the building or beneath a membrane so that soil gas no longer flows from the soil into the building. [Active Sub-Slab Depressurization (ASD) and variations-crawl space, block wall, tile drain/sump]

Mitigation Steps

1- Confirm the initial radon test(s) were carried out properly

2- Investigate the house to decide what mitigation system is needed

3- Determine feasibility of proposed system and design (“diagnostics”)

4- Installation

5- Post-mitigation measurement.

Designing a SSD System

History

• Implementation of the new radon guideline and increased public awareness of the risks from radon exposure created a need to develop nationally recognised standards for knowledge and proficiency assessment of radon measurement and mitigation services and products in Canada.

• Health Canada considered two options for development of a Certification program-a government operated program or a program operated by private industry with guidance from the federal government. Based on cost and time needed for a federally operated program, the second option was pursued.

• NEHA-NRPP’s existing program has a good infrastructure already in place - Canadian certification will differ where required

Canadian Certification Program

Status

• Agreement between NEHA,AARST& Health Canada has been formalised

• All parties working to finalize all of the components required to launch the new Canadian NEHA-NRPP program

• Health Canada’s role in this process - provide support and guidance in the development of the training curriculum and Canadian certification exams to ensure both are in accordance with Canadian guidance and protocols.

Expected to launch in early spring 2012

Canadian Certification Program

Three Individual Certifications

Lab. Accreditation

Device Evaluation/Approval

Continuing Education Approval

Chamber Protocols

Three Individual Certifications

Lab. Accreditation

Device Evaluation /Approval

Continuing Education

Chamber Protocols

Canadian Certification Program - Structure

5 Components of the Program

Role of Health Canada

• Collaboration with the U.S certification body, NEHA-NRPP to establish Canadian component of the program

• Training curriculum development and Canadian specific exams for measurement and mitigation to ensure accordance with Health Canada's radon guideline and protocols

• Responsible for translation of program materials into French

• Assist NEHA-NRPP with competency assessment of radon measurement professionals by providing QA/QC oversight

Canadian certification will not be administered by Health Canada -NEHA-NRPP will act as the credentialing body, providing all program management services in accordance with their Program procedures

Canadian Certification Program

Key features of the Canadian Certification Program

• Differences in the measurement units : Bq/m3 vs. pCi/L• Long term testing recommended• Competency assessment of Measurement professionals through a

QA/QC Program• New Bilingual Canadian Exams for Measurement and Mitigation• Not tied to real estate transactions• Differences based on Canadian geology and climate• Distance Learning will be important as well-CERTI

In Canada - Currently 70+ measurement and 40+ mitigation professionals NEHA-NRPP certified

• We need more course providers in Canada-possible partners include HRAI, ACCC, and Climate Care

Canadian Certification Program

Performance Indicators Progress to date

Increased radon awareness 20+ stakeholder engagements /yr50+% increase in web traffic 100% + increase in inquiries/yrNational outreach campaigns – social media and traditional

# information products developed 9 products developed since 2008

**350,000+ brochures distributed

Radon Measurement and Mitigation availability

Test kit availability in Canadian national home improvement stores & NGOsSignificant increase in certified radon measurement and mitigation professionals (70+ & 40+)

Radon Education and Awareness

Newest Radon outreach product

E&A Goals and indicators Progress to date

National Radon Outreach Campaign Environmental Health campaign launched in March 2010CLA national social media campaignNational outreach to health professionalsRadon pro-active media campaign in fall / winterProvincial focused outreach in fall /winter across Canada

Stakeholder engagement and partnership

Strong partnerships with NGOs – CLA, CCS, CMA and CHBA and Radon service industryImproved engagement with OGDs and provinces, municipalities

Radon Education and Awareness

National Radon Laboratory• Collaborate with stakeholders and partners to encourage the adoption

of the revised building codes across the country• Successful launch and implementation of the Canadian certification

program

Radon Test Projects• Completion of the federal building testing project in 2012/13

Radon Mapping• Work with provinces to provide modeling concept and encourage

development of provincial mapping

2011 and Beyond – Next Steps

2011 and Beyond – Next Steps

Radon Research• Complete research project on large building radon remediation and

develop guidance documents• Compare ground level and roof level discharge• Investigate at on-demand ventilation fans for ASD • Would like to collaborate with CHBA to build some new homes

incorporating the 2010 NBC changes soon

Education and Awareness• Continue to build on activities that have been most successful with

partners – CLA, CMA, CCS, CHBA• Target activities to those most at risk • Focused activities around NBC revisions and Canadian Certification

program• Homeowner outreach via Canada Post’s Smartmoves program

2011 and Beyond – Next Steps

2011 and Beyond – Next Steps