World Health Organization – More countries than ever before are protecting health from radon exposure, but many still need to take action to mitigate the impacts of this carcinogenic radioactive gas, according to a new WHO survey. So far, a total of 56 countries – over a quarter of all WHO Member States – responded to the WHO radon survey. The vast majority have set national reference levels for homes and workplaces, 44 per cent have developed national radon action plans, and 39 per cent have included it in codes for new buildings. Globally, in 2019, residential radon exposure alone was estimated to have caused 84,000 deaths by lung cancer; in some countries, it is among the leading causes of lung cancer.

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Lung Association, Saskatchewan – The Provincial Government’s Home Renovation Tax Credit allows home owners to claim a tax credit of eligible home renovation expenses. The eligible expenses include the cost of labour, professional services, and the building materials required for radon reduction measures. “In a year when we are spending so much time at home, our government is proud to be able to assist Saskatchewan residents in keeping their homes safe,” said Paul Merriman, Minister of Health.

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National Observer – Many rural residents’ health is at significant risk due to high levels of airborne pollutants from wood-burning stoves, both indoors and out, said Michael Mehta, who specializes in environmental and health risk issues. “People in the rural parts of Canada should have some of the cleanest air in the country,” said Mehta. “But, actually, some have polluted air that is considerably worse than any city, and wood stoves are the main contributor.” Wood smoke contains carbon monoxide, volatile gases, and cancer-causing chemical compounds, but it is the fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, that is of particular concern to human health.

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CTV News – Wildfires have taken over from industry as a major source of a group of cancer-causing chemical toxins in the air, Environment Canada says. The first national assessment of polycyclic aromatic compounds in more than 25 years has found that air has improved around aluminum and steel plants. But wildfires and vehicles have stepped in to keep average concentrations at about the same level that they were in the 1990s, says federal researcher Elisabeth Galarneau.

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Preventive Medicine – The relationship between racial disparities in occupational risk and lung cancer diagnosis is not well defined. This study examined occupational exposure to asbestos, silica, and other workplace chemicals, fumes, or dusts as reported in the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST). The NLST data showed racial disparities of lung cancer development. 

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