Event Details

PHO Rounds: The BC Radon Data Repository and BC Radon Map: Integrating Disparate Data Sources for Improved Public Health Communication

Radon is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless carcinogenic gas formed during the natural radioactive decay of uranium in rock and soil. Radon gas quickly dilutes in outdoor air but can accumulate within indoor spaces where long-term exposure can lead to the development of lung cancer. Radon exposure is the second leading environmental cause of lung cancer in Canada and the leading environmental cause among non-smokers.

Many organizations have done some degree of testing of indoor radon levels, including federal and provincial public health agencies, research groups, and private testing firms. This PHO Rounds will present on the BC Radon Data Repository (BCRDR), an ongoing aggregation of BC radon measurement data from volunteer contributing organizations to provide robust centralized surveillance. To date, the BCRDR holds over 40,000 measurements from 19 data contributors. External parties make use of BCRDR data through the BC Radon Map or via collaborations with the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).

Intended audience: Public health practitioners working in environmental health, Medical Officers of Health (MOH), and Associate Medical Officers of Health (AMOH).

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the etiology and epidemiology of radon-induced lung cancer in Canada.
  • Discuss programs that improve awareness of radon, promote action to reduce exposure, or reduce exposures directly.
  • Describe the BCRDR and BC Radon Map, and how it could be translated to other jurisdictions.
 

Presenter(s): Dr. David McVea, Dr. Anne-Marie Nicol, and Jeffrey Trieu

Dr. David McVea, MD, is a Public Health Physician at the BC Centre for Disease Control, specializing in Environmental Health. His work focuses on toxicology and poison control, environmental contaminants, radiation safety and other environmental hazards including extreme weather and climate change.

Dr. Anne-Marie Nicol, PhD, is a Knowledge Mobilization Specialist at the BC Centre for Disease Control. She works to move information about radon gas exposure from evidence to policy and practice across British Columbia.

Jeffrey Trieu, MPH, is an Environmental Health and Knowledge Translation Scientist at the BC Centre for Disease Control. He provides analytic and knowledge translation support to projects related to environmental hazards, such as radon, as well as poisoning and substance use surveillance.

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.

Accreditation

Public Health Ontario Rounds are a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). In order to receive written documentation for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, please check “Yes” beside the question “Do you require CME credits?” on the registration form.

College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Affiliate Members may count RCPSC credits toward their Mainpro+ credit requirements. All other CFPC members may claim up to 50 Certified credits per cycle for participation in RCPSC MOC Section 1 accredited activities.

PHO Rounds are also approved by the Council of Professional Experience for professional development hours (PDHs) for members of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI).

For more information or for a record of registration for other Continuing Education purposes, please contact capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

Accessibility

Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

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Contact

Capacity Building

capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca

Published 13 Nov 2024