Posters with four questions about radon were displayed in schools throughout the Interior Health region to promote the skills contest. (Interior Health image)

By Vernon Matters Staff

Interior Health

Local students among winners in first-ever radon skills contest

Jun 16, 2024 | 11:00 AM

Four students — including from Vernon and Lake Country — have been chosen as winners in BC Lung Foundation and Interior Health’s (IH) first-ever radon skill testing contest.

First place and second place winners were selected in grades 4–8 and grades 9–12 from across the IH region.

“The contest was designed to spark interest in science among young students, and to also promote awareness among teachers, staff, parents and guardians about the importance of testing for radon,” Dr. Silvina Mema, deputy chief medical health officer, said. “Radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and it’s commonly found in homes and buildings across the Interior region. Testing is the only way to know if radon is present.”

Colourful posters and letters were sent to schools, and the contest was advertised on BC Lung and IH’s websites. The contest was also featured in social media.

“We were thrilled that Interior Health is leading efforts to get schools tested. This contest was designed to be a springboard for building radon awareness with students’ families,” says Noah Quastel, director, law and policy, of the Healthy Indoor Environments program at the BC Lung Foundation. “I was amazed to see so many students take time to think about this important public health issue. The contest spread awareness throughout B.C.’s Southern Interior with tens of thousands of people seeing the posters and ads.”

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Meet the winners

To enter the contest, students had to answer one or more skill testing questions:

1. How do you conduct a Radon test?
2. How does Radon enter a building?
3. Where are high levels of Radon found in Canada?
4. What can be done to address high Radon levels?

The winners’ answers are shown below.

Grades 4–8

Molly, grade 7, Salmon Arm – First place

How does Radon enter a building?
Radon is quite sneaky! Mostly because you cannot smell it or see it. Radon forms when uranium breaks down in the soil, which outside is just fine because it just goes up into the air and mixes with other good gasses. It enters your basement not only through cracks in your foundation, but also through floor drains, below ground windows, support posts, and sump pumps. When it enters your basement, it doesn’t have a way to escape. This is where it can harm us because we breathe it in, and it hurts our lungs.

Molly won Beats Studio Buds True Wireless noise cancelling earbuds.

Hazel, grade 8, Lake Country – Second place

What can be done to address high Radon levels?

One of the things to help with radon is sub-slab depressurization. Sub-slab depressurization prevents soil gases from infiltrating houses and buildings. Also installed in houses and buildings there is a gravel…space consisting of PVC piping installed through the slab floor.

Hazel won Beats Studio Buds True Wireless noise cancelling earbuds.

Grades 9–12

Verity, grade 12, Vernon – First place

How does Radon enter a building?
Uranium. A naturally occurring element found in most soil, with albeit an unfortunate sounding name, loves to decay. One of the products of this radioactive decay is radon, a colourless odourless gas that causes lung cancer and all sorts of…side effects in humans. Despite mankind’s best efforts, dirt is everywhere [and we] build our homes on it. This means that when uranium decays in soil, a significant amount of its by-products, including radon, seep up through floors, walls, and ceilings and into living areas. Essentially, anywhere a crack is found, radon can get into your house. An unwelcome houseguest who doesn’t require much, and who you won’t notice, but is sure to cause lots of trouble down the road.

Verity won Beats Solo3 Wireless on-ear headphones.

Hannah, grade 11, Trail – Second place

What can be done to address high Radon levels?
Radon is not good and can cause lung cancer. If radon is found in your home, there are several things you can do about it. The most common is a vent pipe system and fan. This pulls the radon from beneath the house and vents it outside. Other ways are a soil depressurization system, clearing or replacing sub-floor vents, or adding new vents and air bricks. You can also open your window for a temporary fix.

Hannah won Beats Solo3 Wireless on-ear headphones.