Testing pinpoints radon levels in workplaces

A territory-wide pilot project testing radon levels in the workplace is wrapping up.

A territory-wide pilot project testing radon levels in the workplace is wrapping up.

The Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board, partly funded by Health Canada, started testing radon levels in October 2007. Staff took 360 samples from 166 buildings, and now have preliminary results.

“The data we have collected has provided us with an overview of radon concentrations in Yukon workplaces,” Rob McClure, a safety officer with the board, told reporters Monday afternoon.

“The data is preliminary, but we will combine it with data from Yukon Housing Corporation on private dwellings to develop a map of Yukon that may show us if there are areas that tend to have elevated radon levels.”

Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas, caused by the decay of uranium. It is invisible, odorless and tasteless. Radon has been proven to be a contributing factor in lung cancer.

Building managers and business owners were provided with the results of the team’s findings. They also received advice on how to remediate the situation.

Improving ventilation, sealing cracks and closing other non-sealed openings in foundations and basements decrease radon levels and the potential health risk.

“Preliminary readings show that all sites met Health Canada’s previous radon concentration guidelines, and more than 80 per cent of Yukon sites tested meet Health Canada’s new, more stringent guideline,” said McClure.

“Those that did not meet the new guidelines will need to be more thoroughly tested and possibly remediated.”

Approximately 23 buildings did not meet the new standard.

Dr. Brendan Hanley, the Yukon’s medical health officer, said radon “does not pose an immediate danger to health and is only a concern if there is prolonged exposure to high concentrations over many years.”

Someone exposed to unusually high levels of radon for 24 hours a day for their entire lives (70 years was Hanley’s example) would still only have about a two-per-cent chance of contracting lung cancer.

He said that smokers are 20 to 30 per cent more likely to get lung cancer from radon exposure, and said it’s important for smokers to “re-double their efforts to quit.”

“Most people spend more time at home than at work, so it is important to test living spaces in addition to workplaces,” said Juergen Korn, a research and development project manager with the housing corporation.

The corporation provides home radon test units to Yukon residents at no cost. For more information, call 667-5759 or toll-free in the Yukon at 1-800-661-0408, extension 5759.