Vavenby Elementary, Barriere Secondary and Barriere Elementary have tested above Canadian guidelines for radon.
In a letter to parents and guardians, high school principal John Tyler said Interior Health has been working in partnership with school districts and participating independent schools on a pilot project to test radon in schools.
Most of the test results are fortunately below the Canadian guideline, Tyler noted. For those above the guidelines, School District 73 has hired a consultant to implement short-term measures. These short term measures include increasing ventilation, extending the hours the system will operate in occupancy mode, and testing for radon using continuous monitors to ensure radon levels are below recommendations during occupied hours.
Radon is an invisible, odourless, radioactive gas released from the natural breakdown of uranium found in soils and rocks, notes Interior Health on its website.
Radon gas causes lung cancer. The risk of cancer depends on the levels of radon and amount of contact with radon and tobacco smoke over a lifetime. According to Health Canada, there is no radon level that is considered risk-free.
Tyler said SD73’s consultant is an engineer who is certified through the Canadian National Radon Proficiency program (C-NRPP).
According to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, radon levels are generally higher in the Interior region than in other areas of the province.
“While this project focuses on schools, radon may be present in other buildings in your community, including homes. We encourage you to test your home for radon,” noted Tyler.
For more information and resources about radon in B.C. and to order test kits visit:
• Interior Health’s Radon Information Page - Radon Overview and Resources
• BC Centre for Disease Control - Radon Overview and Mapping Information
• BC Lung Foundation - Test Kit Information and Radon Projects in BC
If you have any questions about the radon testing initiative at schools, please contact the Healthy Schools team email: HealthySchools@interiorhealth.ca
