National Radon Program
Radiation Health Assessment Division
Radiation Protection Bureau
CHBA meetings
October 28, 2011
RADON KEY MESSAGES
• 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
National Radon Laboratory
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
Cross-Canada Residential Radon Survey
Year 1 Results Population Weighted % Homes >200 Bq/m3
AB
6.9%
BC
4.6%
MB
23.5%
NB
NU
0.0%
ON
4.9%
PE
4.5%
QC
9.0%
17.0%
NL
5.3%
NS
8.2%
SK
15.8%
NT
4.0%
YT
15.9%
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
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
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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 Basement
Block 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 variationscrawl 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
Canadian Certification Program
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 - Structure
5 Components of the Program
Three Individual
Certifications
Three Individual
Certifications
Lab. Accreditation
Lab. Accreditation
Device Evaluation
/Approval
Device
Evaluation/Approval
Continuing Education
Continuing Education
Approval
Chamber Protocols
Chamber Protocols
Canadian Certification 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
Radon Education and Awareness
Performance Indicators
Progress to date
Increased radon awareness
 20+ stakeholder engagements /yr
50+% increase in web traffic
 100% + increase in inquiries/yr
National 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 & NGOs
Significant increase in certified radon
measurement and mitigation
professionals (70+ & 40+)
Newest Radon
outreach product
Radon Education and Awareness
E&A Goals and indicators
Progress to date
National Radon Outreach Campaign
Environmental Health campaign
launched in March 2010
CLA national social media campaign
National outreach to health
professionals
Radon pro-active media campaign in
fall / winter
Provincial focused outreach in fall
/winter across Canada
Stakeholder engagement and
partnership
Strong partnerships with NGOs –
CLA, CCS, CMA and CHBA and Radon
service industry
Improved engagement with OGDs
and provinces, municipalities
2011 and Beyond – Next Steps
2011 and Beyond – Next Steps
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
Radon Research
2011 and Beyond – Next Steps
• 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