Public libraries are evolving, lending out more than just books and acting as hubs for innovative programming. One example in Canada is the rise of radon “Lending Library” programs that connect patrons to radon information and digital radon detectors. Beginning in British Columbia and Nova Scotia, there are now over 300 libraries that lend digital detectors across the country and more come on board regularly. The success of the radon program hinges on the unique role that libraries play in communities. Not only are libraries well-established, trusted sources of knowledge but more and more libraries are taking part in innovative public health initiatives. In some regions, patrons can borrow items such as CO2 and PM2.5 sensors, sun lamps, surgical recovery equipment and even mobility-aides for visitors. There is growing enthusiasm for more collaboration between librarians and public health professionals, in part as they address important issue such as access and health equity. This…
The team at NCCEH regularly presents at environmental health events across Canada, in addition to organizing workshops and meetings on various topics. A select listing of our conference presentations and external webinars, as well as presentations from our Environmental Health Seminar Series are available here.
Indoor radon is an important cause of lung cancer in British Columbia (BC), responsible for about 15% of lung cancer deaths. The risk of radon-attributable lung cancers varies across the province, however, depending on geological factors as well as housing characteristics. Accurately assessing the risk posed by residential radon in BC requires sufficient measurements taken from representative samples of homes in each region.
To support this work, as well as other policy and research efforts, the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has established the British Columbia Radon Data Repository (BCRDR), which houses over 14,000 anonymized indoor radon measurements from across the province, including over 11,000 from residences. Measurements are collected from federal, provincial, and regional partner agencies as well as private radon professionals.
In this seminar, we describe the repository and highlight two uses for the data. First, the BCCDC has…
Radon, an odorless, colourless, radioactive gas, is an established carcinogen and the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. Radon poses a health risk for indoor environments, particularly in rooms on ground or basement levels where the gas can enter through cracks in the foundation. Health Canada has been measuring radon levels in homes and workplaces and elevated levels of radon have been identified in most regions of the country.
The following presentation focus on radon testing in First Nations communities. The first presentation details historical radon testing initiatives conducted with First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities across Canada. The second presentation provides an overview of a recent collaborative project, done in conjunction with the First Nations Health Authority, that tested radon in communities in the interior of British Columbia.
This presentation, delivered at the BC Lung Association’s 4th Annual Radon Workshop, outlines a theoretical framework that supports radon outreach and behaviour change.
This presentation was delivered at the 83rd CIPHI National Annual Education Conference and created in conjunction with an environmental health officer from the BC Interior Health authority. It provides an overview of testing research and policies to reduce childhood radon exposure.
House of Commons Standing Committee on Health
On June 18, 2015, Dr. Tom Kosatsky, NCCEH Scientific Director, Dr. Anne-Marie Nicol, NCCEH Knowledge Translation Scientist, and Dr. Sarah Henderson, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control Senior Scientist were invited to present before the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Health, Ottawa. The Committee assembled a panel of experts with the intention of exploring questions related to radon and other causes (other than smoking) of lung cancer. Detailed minutes and transcript can be accessed through the Parliament of Canada website.
Presentations:
Radon and Lung Cancer Anne-Marie Nicol, Knowledge Translation Scientist, NCCEH Lung cancer, smoking (not), and radon: Public health policy for Canada Tom Kosatsky, Medical Director/Scientific Director, BCCDC/NCCEH Radon risk areas and lung cancer mortality trends in British Columbia Sarah Henderson, Senior Scientist, BCCDCJoint NCCEH/NCCAH Workshop at Canadian Public Health Association Public Health 2015 in Vancouver
Successes and challenges in mitigation of radon in urban Aboriginal housing, Prince George, BC Leo Hebert, Executive Director, Prince George Métis Housing Society Insights into on-reserve housing Linda Pillsworth, Manager, Environmental Health Services, First Nations Health Authority Mould Remediation Mona Shum, Occupational Hygiene and Safety Team Lead, AMEC Environment and Infrastructure Mould As A Symptom Louis Sorin, Community Area Director, Winnipeg Health Regional AuthorityCanadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) 79th Annual National Educational Conference
Presentations
General indoor air quality parameters: CO, CO2, relative humidity, temperature Dru Sahai, Public Health Ontario Volatile organic compounds Prabjit Barn, NCCEH Mould Daniel Fong, NCCEH Radon Pam Warkentin, Radonmatters Additional indoor pollutants Dru Sahai, Public Health Ontario