Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas generated by the decay of uranium bearing minerals in rocks and soils. Exposure to indoor radon has been identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoking. In an indoor environment, there are many factors affecting indoor radon concentrations. Those factors could be different in the Arctic regions than the rest of Canada. Based on the results from recently completed Canadian residential radon survey, this technical note assessed indoor radon characteristics and associated radiation doses in Canadian Arctic regions and compared them to the average radon characteristics in Canada. In Arctic health regions the percentage of homes above 200 Bq/m3 varied from 0% in Nunavut to 19.6% in Yukon Territory. On average, indoor radon characteristics in the Canadian Arctic regions are similar to the overall indoor radon characteristics in Canada. Although there are no significant differences in indoor radon exposure between the Canadian Arctic and rest of Canada, the average lung cancer incidence rate in the Arctic health regions is a factor of 1.6 higher than the national average lung cancer rate. The higher lung cancer rate in Canadian Arctic is likely due to the higher smoking rate in the northern communities.
Highlights
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas generated by the decay of uranium bearing minerals in rocks and soils
There are no significant differences in indoor radon exposure between the Canadian Arctic and rest of Canada, the average lung cancer incidence rate in the Arctic health regions is a factor of 1.6 higher than the national average lung cancer rate
Climate and housing can be different in the Canadian Arctic region compared to other areas of Canada, on average, indoor radon characteristics in the Arctic region appeared to agree very well with the overall indoor radon characteristics in Canada
Summary
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas generated by the decay of uranium bearing minerals in rocks and soils. The amount of radon gas is very small and does not pose a health risk. Radon gas and radon progeny in the air can be breathed into the lungs where they breakdown further and emit ionizing radiation in the form of alpha particles. The only known health effect associated with long-term exposure to elevated radon levels in indoor air is an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Based on new scientific information and a broad public consultation, the Government of Canada revised the guideline for exposure to radon in indoor air from 800 to 200 Bq/m3 in 2007 (Health Canada 2007). The new guideline recommends that remedial measures should be undertaken in a dwelling whenever the average annual radon concentration exceeds 200 Bq/m3 in the normal occupancy area
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
