Feature stories
Hidden sources of pollution
More than meets the eye
Radon Gas – The Silent Killer
Recently, the spotlight has been cast on radon, a colourless, odourless, radioactive gas, and the danger it poses to the health of Canadians. With extended exposure, radon can significantly increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
As a naturally occurring gas, radon is not a risk out of doors; however, radon can seep up through the ground underneath a home and reach potentially dangerous levels indoors. Although it is difficult to predict which homes might have high levels of radon, areas of high concentration have been identified, including B.C.’s interior.
A 2005 study of the effects of radon on health, published in Epidemiology has prompted the Canadian government to lower the level of radon acceptable in Canadian homes.
If you are concerned that your home may have a high level of radon gas, there are commercial tests available to you. Health Canada suggests you also consider the following preventative measures:
- Renovating existing basement floors, particularly earth floors.
- Seal cracks and openings in walls and floors, and around pipes and drains
- Ventilate the sub-floor of basement floors
For more information, visit the Health Canada website: www.hc-sc.gc.ca. Look for the It’s Your Health factsheet about radon. Health Canada Publications Office toll free number: 1-866-225-0709
Arena Air Quality on Thin Ice
Early in March, an investigation conducted by the CBC found that levels of ultra-fine particulate air pollution in Canadian hockey arenas are well beyond acceptable levels. Of the top ten polluted arenas, four were in B.C. These levels of pollution could adversely affect the lung function of the athletes and spectators.
42 rinks were tested across Canada, and 24 % were found to have air quality that would decrease lung health. In 14% of the arenas, the air quality was so bad that it was likened to standing next to a busy highway. The source of the pollution? The ice resurfacing machines which spin round the rinks as frequently as once every hour, releasing exhaust fumes into the air.
The electric versions of these machines present a healthy but financially unfeasible alternative, as their prices range into six figures. Plans for new arenas are incorporating better indoor air quality into their architecture. Existing arenas must pursue different options to improve the air they are serving up to their patrons. Installing better ventilations systems or extra vents near the ice are two alternatives; however, for more immediate control of exposure, experts advise limiting the time spent in very polluted arenas until the air quality has been improved.
In-Car Air Pollution
The air quality inside passenger vehicles has been a concern for quite some time. However people can become complacent about the air they’re breathing while driving. The assumption is that if you have your windows rolled up and your air-conditioning on, you’re protected. The truth is quite the opposite.
When it comes to vehicular pollution, the general rule in regards to health risk is, ‘The closer the traffic, the higher the risk.” Accordingly, those at greatest risk are the drivers and passengers. In fact, in several studies done around the world, drivers were breathing in a significantly higher level of pollutants than were bicyclists – at times as much as twice the amount. All of this has significant implications for the way we live. For people living in suburban areas it can be nearly impossible to find an alternative to making their daily commute by car. Yet at the same time it is too expensive for some people to maintain a suburban lifestyle, with a house, and a backyard, closer to their jobs in the city. The ultimate solution to this problem may be along time coming. In the short-term however, there is still action to be taken. Hybrid vehicles which run on a combination of gasoline and electricity are becoming more popular in Canada since their introduction in 2002. Health conscious people choose to walk or ride their bikes (see page 7 for healthy lung tips about this choice) and leave the car at home. And the government is becoming increasingly active in applying air quality control measures.
For information about Environment Canada’s Air Quality Management Plan, visit Environment Canada’s Green Lane website