Huron Expositor, 2004-08-18, Page 3News
Testing homes for radon a good
idea, says Radiation Safety Institute
From Page 1
certainly a lot of debate if the
values in the U.S. are
appropriate," says Burns.
On the recommendation of
the North
Carolina
radon -testing
company,
Picciottoli has
installed a
whole -house
carbon water
filter to
remove the
radon in the
water and a fan
in the
basement to
vent out the
radon gas.
As well, he's
working at
filling up
cracks and
holes in the basement floor to
prevent the gas from entering
the house.
"If you understand the
chemistry, you realize that
radon has the potential to
cause problems. Especially
because we have a child,
we're going to err on the side
of caution," he says.
While the tests are
supposed to be mailed within
four days, Picciottoli's results
were received in seven days,
which means the results
could be 25 per cent more or
less than the readings he
received.
But, the testing company
suggests that since the radon
levels will be decaying past
the four days, the results are
probably lower than the
actual levels.
Picciottoli says he and his
wife Suzann have studied
alternative medicine,
including acupuncture and
Chinese medicine and are
particularly concerned with
health issues.
"We expected to find radon
in the house because our
house has an exposed
basement," says Suzann of
the dirt crawlspace and
basement with cracks and
holes.
And, since his grandparents
and her mother have
developed lung cancer
recently, the two are guessing
that radon gas could have
been a contributing factor.
"They both live in shut -up
houses in Toronto and
Mississauga," he says, adding
however, that radon levels
have never been-te-94441 in
either home.
Because radon was found,
along with radium and
uranium in Seaforth's Chalk
Street well during
provincially -mandated tests
in 2000; the well was taken
out of service, leaving only
the Welsh Street well to
provide the town's water.
"To my knowledge,
Seaforth is ' the only
mu>iiiripttiiry -tn Ontario' that
found enough radionucleides
in the water to be worried
about. It was the only well in
this area and maybe in the
province, to be taken out of
service," Bums says.
Burns is quick to affirm
that Seaforth's drinking water
is safe, adding that the Welsh
Street well was tested for
radionucleides in the spring.
And, while radon has been
found in the Welsh Street
well, it is at levels that arc
"barely detectable," says
Burns.
When the wells were tested
in the 1980s, radon showed
up in the Chalk Street well at
levels of 300-400 bq/L and at
the Welsh Street well at
levels of 11 to 14 bq/L.
"It's important for people
to understand those are very
low levels at Welsh Street,"
he says.
Pam Scharfe, of the Huron
County Health Unit, says the
Picciottoli's radon tests arc
the first she's heard of by a
homeowner in Seaforth.
"We'd want to look into it.
Is he an expert on testing for
radon? We'd want to look at
the reliability of the test kit
he's using. Then, there's also
the question of stricter
guidelines for air quality in
the U.S.," she said.
Scharfe agreed that radon
gas had been a concern in
Northern Ontario, especially
when dirt floors allow gas
into homes.
Reza Moridi, vice president
and chief scientist with the
Radiation
Safety
Institute of
Canada based
in "Toronto,
recommends
that everyone
test their
basements for
radon gas and
has been
lobbying the
Canadian
go\ e in inc 111
to both
reduce its
acceptable
Icy els of
radon gas
from 800 13q/m3 to the
recommended lc els in the
United Kingdom and Sweden
of 200 13q/m3.
"We have one of the
highest acceptable levels of
radon in the world. I have
spoken to 1 -Health Canada's
scientists and told them its
too high." sad \loridi.
"Testing is a good idea,
especially in areas where
there's a little concern like
Seaforth. It's easy to do and
it's not costly. The best thing
is just to measure and have
some peace of mind.- he
said.
Quoted
'If you
understand the
chemistry, you
realize that
radon has the
potential to
cause
problems,' --
John Picciottoli
Moridi was invited to a
public meeting in Seaforth
two years ago when radon
was discovered in the water
system. He said radon in the
water will contribute to Ole
levels of radon in air.
He said there is not much
awareness about radon gas in
Canada and has performed
9,000 radon home tests
during the past 15 years. In
the early 1990s, the Radiation
Safety Institute conducted
radon tests in 3,30(1
classrooms in Thronto.
"In the old days, buildings
had so many leaks that it
+ain't as much of a problem
but the more airtight we
snake buildings, the more
radon can build up," he said.
While Moridi continues to
lobby the government to
reduce acceptable radon
levels, he recommends
Canadians follow the U.S.
-standards.
"They have hcen very,
prudent in the U.S. I've hcen
following it for 15 years.
People in Canada should not
wait for the government to
lower their levels," he said.
Two break-ins occur
on Hydro Line Road
Huron OPP
Two break-ins occurred on Hydro Line Road between Seaforth
and Clinton in Central Huron between 12:45 and 4:30 p.m. on
Aug. 10.
Jewelry, Royal Doulton figurines. computer systems and
other property were stolen from the two residences, which both
had their doors forced open.
The stolen property was found Tater in a stolen car in a gravel
pit in West Perth.
'I'he stolen car, a gray 1996 Chrysler Intrepid. was taken from
the St. 'Thomas hospital parking lot the day before.
It was also seen by a West Perth resident who watched the
Intrepid leave his home as someone cisc stole his 1996
Corvette from his driveway. Two men, in their 20s, were seen
in the two vehicles.
Anyone with related information is asked to call the Huron
OPP or Crime Stoppers.
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Aug. 18, 2004.3
Huron County Community Home Child Care
provides quality child care in a regulated
home environment.
Spaces are available for September. Approved homes are in:
Wingham, Clinton, Seaforth, Goderich and Exeter.
Daily programming, menus and limited group sizes.
For children age 0-12 years. Days, evenings and weekends.
Call to register 482-8505
Fee assistance available.
Corporation of the
COUNTY OF HURON
Jacob Memorial Building
77722D London Road, RR5
Clinton, ON NOM 1L0
4
DOMINION DRIVER TRAINING
• An MTO-Approved Beginner Driver
Education Course Provider
4 Day Course - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday through Thursday starting Aug. 23, 2004 or
8 wk course beginning Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004
from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m.
17 Albert Street, Minton
Visit our Website at
www.dominlandrly'er traihing.t #t f a
for registra ;or ca ; Carot*
527-1891 or cal 0d�66
Seniors' lessons- privatefretresher, lessons
always available
CALL AHEAD - CALL NOW
What if someone in Seaforth needed blood...
Please give at the donor clinic in Seaforth.
Thursday, August 26, 2004
1:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Seaforth Community Centre
122 Duke Street
Please call and make an appointment today.
Sheena, 9 donations.
challenges co-worker Geoff.
1 blood donation so far.
what about you?
WH ITNEYRIBEY
FUNERAL HOME
BOX and SMITH
FUNERAL CHAPEL
87 Goderich St. W. 527-1390 Seaforth
Christopher M. Smith Funeral Director
47 High St., Seaforth
527-1142
5 Main St.. S. Seaforth
527-2220
Licensed by LLBO
5 1 (;oclericlh St., Seaforth
527-1313
Owner Rare Richardson
McKILLOP 91 Main St. S.
MUTUAL SEAFORTH
I
Seaforth
Agricultural
Society
527-1321
iiINSURANCE 527-0400
COMPANY
KELLY AUTO SERVICE
527-2210
26 Birch St. Seaforth
The Municipality
of
HURON EAST
527-0160
Kelly Auto
Sales & Service
14 Birch St., Seaforth 527-1122
137 West William St., Seaforth 527-1080
ARTECH
Signs & Graphics
527-2200
1 I2 High St.,,Seaforth
Tucker's
Meat Shop
27 Main St., Seaforth 527-0036
13 Main St., Seaforth - 527-1140
DESIGN CONCRETE
SYSTEMS/
PROMAT LTD.
527-0397
SEAFORTH INSURANCE
BROKER LTD. 527-1610
miiiiii....
F.,. '!! P
I' 'r---
4�
- ; .M
saio
IIIR t,
• Home • Commercial
*Auto Farm
• Out of Province
Travel Insurance
41 Mata St. S. Seaforth
Ken Card,no, Joanne Williamson,
Christa O'Neil and Barb Watt
Huron County Community Home Child Care
provides quality child care in a regulated
home environment.
Spaces are available for September. Approved homes are in:
Wingham, Clinton, Seaforth, Goderich and Exeter.
Daily programming, menus and limited group sizes.
For children age 0-12 years. Days, evenings and weekends.
Call to register 482-8505
Fee assistance available.
Corporation of the
COUNTY OF HURON
Jacob Memorial Building
77722D London Road, RR5
Clinton, ON NOM 1L0
4
DOMINION DRIVER TRAINING
• An MTO-Approved Beginner Driver
Education Course Provider
4 Day Course - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday through Thursday starting Aug. 23, 2004 or
8 wk course beginning Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004
from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m.
17 Albert Street, Minton
Visit our Website at
www.dominlandrly'er traihing.t #t f a
for registra ;or ca ; Carot*
527-1891 or cal 0d�66
Seniors' lessons- privatefretresher, lessons
always available
CALL AHEAD - CALL NOW
What if someone in Seaforth needed blood...
Please give at the donor clinic in Seaforth.
Thursday, August 26, 2004
1:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Seaforth Community Centre
122 Duke Street
Please call and make an appointment today.
Sheena, 9 donations.
challenges co-worker Geoff.
1 blood donation so far.
what about you?
WH ITNEYRIBEY
FUNERAL HOME
BOX and SMITH
FUNERAL CHAPEL
87 Goderich St. W. 527-1390 Seaforth
Christopher M. Smith Funeral Director
47 High St., Seaforth
527-1142
5 Main St.. S. Seaforth
527-2220
Licensed by LLBO
5 1 (;oclericlh St., Seaforth
527-1313
Owner Rare Richardson
McKILLOP 91 Main St. S.
MUTUAL SEAFORTH
I
Seaforth
Agricultural
Society
527-1321
iiINSURANCE 527-0400
COMPANY
KELLY AUTO SERVICE
527-2210
26 Birch St. Seaforth
The Municipality
of
HURON EAST
527-0160
Kelly Auto
Sales & Service
14 Birch St., Seaforth 527-1122
137 West William St., Seaforth 527-1080
ARTECH
Signs & Graphics
527-2200
1 I2 High St.,,Seaforth
Tucker's
Meat Shop
27 Main St., Seaforth 527-0036
13 Main St., Seaforth - 527-1140
DESIGN CONCRETE
SYSTEMS/
PROMAT LTD.
527-0397