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Radon gas in the News.
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Provided by: Canadian Press
Jun. 13, 2007
OTTAWA (CP) - Health Canada has sharply tightened the standards for radon in homes and public buildings to reduce the risk of lung cancer.
The new rules require remedial measures when average radon concentrations in a living space exceed 200 becquerels per cubic metre - a quarter of the current limit.
The higher the radon concentrations, the sooner remedial measures would have to be undertaken.
Health Canada is also proposing that the limit for new homes be set at 100 becquerels.
Radon is an odourless and colourless gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in the soil, and its presence varies widely from place to place.
Health Canada says 1,600 Canadians died of lung cancer in 2000, and that figure could be reduced by a third by curbing radon exposure.
The department is inviting public comment for 60 days before setting the radon guideline for new homes, but the 200 Bq guideline now is in place for existing homes, schools and institutions with high occupancy.
Health Canada spokeswoman Renee Bergeron said recent research has shown that radon can be dangerous at levels lower than previously believed.
It's estimated that a non-smoker with a lifetime radon exposure of 200 Bq per cubic metre has double the risk for lung cancer. Canada's limit had been 800 Bq.
Radon levels in indoor air can be lowered in various ways such as sealing cracks in floors and walls or increasing the ventilation rate of the building.
Bergeron said the average cost of remedial measures in houses is about $2,000.
The proposed guidelines would bring Canada into line with many other countries that have already brought in lower limits.
It is the responsibility of the homeowner to determine radon levels in their home. Further information is available from Health Canada at 1-866-225-0709.