RSIC at the CNA 2013 Conference

Partners in Prevention 2013 Trade Show and Conference will take place on  April 30  at the International Center in Mississauga, Ontario.

We are happy to be a part of this very important Health and Safety Event.

The Institute invites all its friends, clients, graduates and partners to take advantage of the Complimentary Conference Passes and join us at the event.

Follow the link below to access complimentary passes. Download and save PDF file. Fill in and send the form to register.

Complimentary Conference Pass Download

 


For more information about the Conference please visit: Partners in Prevention, 2013 Conference and Tradeshow”

Maternity Leave (starting May 2013)
Temporary Full-time

Your current, valid certificate of registration with the CMRTO is complemented by minimum 2 years full-time Nuclear Medicine experience, and successful completion of the RSO training course. Current registration with OAMRS, First Aid/CPR, and TDG certification required. Familiarity with GE Infinia camera and Xeleris system advantageous. Applicants interested in joining the friendly staff at Med-Scan imaging facility may send or fax their resume to:

Med-Scan Nuclear Medicine Division
2810 MajorMacKenzie Drive, Unit 22B
Maple, ON, L6A 1R8

Tel: 905-832-8984 Fax: 905-832-0645

It is a normal reaction to try and avoid danger when we see it. When faced with a hazardous object it is reasonable to stay away from it or, if possible, to remove it. When we smell smoke, we know to check for a fire and call for help. But what if the threat is not so easily detectable? What if it is present in our everyday lives and we cannot see it, smell it or taste it? This is exactly the kind of hazard that radioactive radon gas is . While undetectable by human senses, it presents a very real danger, in fact, it is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

Radon monitors analyzed by scientists at the Institute's National Laboratories

How do we get exposed to radon? Produced in the ground it escapes through porous soils and fissures in the rock of the earth’s crust. Once released into the atmosphere, radon gas is diluted by air so its concentration is very low in the outdoors. However radon can seep into buildings through cracks in the foundation, through openings around drain pipes and sump pumps and through any other unsealed openings. When it enters a confined or enclosed space such as a basement, it can build to concentrations that are hazardous to human health.

THE RADIATION SAFETY INSTITUTE OF CANADA SUPPORTS HEALTH CANADA’S RADON AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AND ENCOURAGES YOU TO TEST YOUR HOME FOR RADON TODAY!

Radon gas breaks down further to form other radioactive particles called radon daughters or “progeny”. These particles attach themselves to dust particles in the air and can be inhaled and lodged in the lungs. The radon daughters emit a form of radiation known as alpha particles. The alpha particles deposit their energy in the lungs and can cause long term damage, in particular lung cancer. Not everyone exposed to radon will develop lung cancer but long-term exposure, specially for smokers, to elevated levels of radon in the home increases your risk of developing the disease. The only way to know the radon level in your home is to test.

Since indoor radon concentrations tend to be higher in the fall/winter period and can significantly vary from day to day, Health Canada recommends 90 day testing during the heating season. Indoor radon concentrations are measured in units of radioactivity known as becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m3). If the average concentration in a home is greater than 200 Bq/m3, then Health Canada advises taking remedial actions to reduce the concentration. The higher the radon concentration the sooner action should be taken. Remediation is fairly simple and inexpensive, the cost may vary from $500 to $3000.

For over a decade the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada has carried out its National Radon Monitoring Program. The Program is run by our National Laboratories located in Saskatoon, where certified radon specialists will take your radon orders, ship out the monitors, analyse test results, communicate them to you and, most importantly, answer any and all questions you may have about radon exposure. The total cost of the order and laboratory analysis is only $55 plus tax.

Your piece of mind and your health are worth the investment. We urge you to not put it off and order your radon test kit today!

Tim Armstrong, Chair of the Board of the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada, is pleased to announce the appointment of the Hon. Steven Mahoney, P.C., as President and CEO of the Institute. He succeeds Dr. Fergal Nolan, who recently retired after having successfully led the Institute with dedication for almost 30 years.

Mr. Mahoney has just completed a six-year term as Chair of Ontario’s Workplace Safety & Insurance Board. His previous distinguished public service career includes serving as Member of Parliament (1997-2005) with Ministerial responsibilities for Crown Corporations, Member of Ontario’s Provincial Parliament (1987-1995) where he chaired the Provincial Finance Committee, and City and Regional Councillor for Mississauga (1978-1987).

Mr. Mahoney’s dedication to public service, passion for workplace safety, and proven track record of success in pursuit of the prevention agenda will greatly benefit the advancement of the Institute’s mission focused on promotion of radiation safety in the workplace, the environment, and the community at large. The Board of Governors and  staff are happy to welcome Mr. Mahoney as the new President and CEO and are proud to have him join the Institute’s team.  The President’s 3-year term will commence on Monday, September 10, 2012.

]]> http://www.radiationsafety.ca/the-radiation-safety-institute-of-canada-is-proud-to-announce-the-appointment-of-the-new-president-and-ceo/feed 0 http://www.radiationsafety.ca/lung-cancer-deaths-from-radon-gas-in-canadian-homes-and-buildings-higher-than-expected http://www.radiationsafety.ca/lung-cancer-deaths-from-radon-gas-in-canadian-homes-and-buildings-higher-than-expected#comments Fri, 24 Aug 2012 11:43:33 +0000 Admin http://www.radiationsafety.ca/?p=4485 Health Canada scientists have found that many more homes than expected from previous surveys have radon levels above Canadian public health guidelines. This conclusion was reached on the basis of radon tests conducted in some 14,000 homes and buildings across Canada.

Having analyzed the test findings, Health Canada scientists have concluded that about 7% of homes and buildings across Canada have high radon gas levels. They have also concluded that approximately 16% of all lung cancer deaths in Canada can be attributed to radon in homes and buildings, irrespective of lung cancers from smoking. These estimates are higher than previous Health Canada estimates. The Radiation Safety Institute of Canada has commented on this matter, applauding Health Canada for the new rigor it has shown on the radon issue since it finally lowered the radon exposure guidelines in 2006.

CLICK for our PRESS RELEASE

The award recognizes Dr Nolan’s exceptional contribution to protecting Canadians from excessive exposure to radiation in workplaces and communities across Canada.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals were established to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne. They are awarded to recognize and celebrate significant achievements and extraordinary contributions Canadians have made for the benefit of their fellow citizens and their country. The award was presented on July 9, 2012.

The Radiation Safety Institute of Canada’s Board of Governors Chair, Mr. Tim Armstrong, has announced the RETIREMENT of long-time President and CEO, Dr. Fergal Nolan.

Industry Canada has recently performed measurements to determine the level of exposure to the public from electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) emitted at Wi-Fi access points. To perform these measurements, Industry Canada simulated a typical Wi-Fi environment by installing 24 Wi-Fi enabled laptops, all simultaneously uploading and/or downloading data using a Wi-Fi connection, in a closed room with 2 Wi-Fi access points. Multiple configurations were considered.

The maximum instantaneous exposure level, measured at 20 cm from the Wi-Fi access point, was 10.59% of the Health Canada Safety Code 6 guideline for public exposure to Wi-Fi frequencies. In more typical scenarios, in which people are located several meters from the access point, Industry Canada determined that the exposure levels would be thousands of times below the Safety Code 6 limits.

Health Canada’s Safety Code 6 limits are based on an in-depth evaluation of available scientific literature on thermal and possible non-thermal effects of radio-frequencies on biological systems. For Wi-Fi frequencies, the limits are based on tissue-heating effects. Safety Code 6 has set the public exposure limit to be 50 times below any exposure that may lead to significant tissue heating. In other words, exposures in public areas below the Safety Code 6 limits will result in no adverse health effects.

To learn more, read Industry Canada’s Case Study: Measurements of Radiofrequency Exposure from Wi-Fi Devices.