Radon Testing
Anglophone West School District (ASD-W) tests schools for
radon as part of its ongoing commitment to the health and safety of students
and staff.
The purpose of the testing is to evaluate the levels of
radon in order to determine if remedial action is required.
Radon is an odourless, radioactive gas formed from the
breakdown of uranium. It has no odour, colour or taste.
Found naturally in the environment, radon is common in New
Brunswick. It moves freely through the soil and can seep into buildings through
cracks in foundation walls and floors or gaps around pipes and cables.
When released to outdoor air, radon disperses into the
atmosphere and is not a concern. However, in enclosed spaces, it can sometimes
accumulate to high levels.
According to Health Canada, the only known health risk
associated with exposure to high levels of radon in indoor air is an increased
lifetime risk of developing lung cancer. The risk from radon exposure is long
term and depends on the level of radon, how long a person is exposed and their
smoking habits.
The current Canadian guideline for radon in indoor air for
dwellings is 200 Becquerels per cubic metre (200 Bq/m3).Remedial action will
take place if any school exceeds the exposure guideline for radon.
Based on the guidelines, 66 of ASD-W schools have acceptable
low radon levels. Three schools have mitigation projects in progress:
·
Chipman Forest Avenue School
·
Central New Brunswick Academy
·
Gibson-Neill Memorial Elementary School
Select the school name below to view its result from the Radon
Mitigation Quality Assurance Test.
NOTE: Reporting of the results online began this
year. Testing results for all schools from previous years is available by
contacting the school or ASD-W.