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What is the government doing about preventing lung cancers due to Radon exposure?


In Estimates on April 24, I asked the Minister of Health what he and his department are doing to prevent lung cancers due to Radon exposures given the high levels of Radon in many Manitoba homes?

Mr. Gerrard:  Several days ago, I had asked what was the minister's and his department's approach to the issue of radon, which is believed to be the second highest cause of lung cancer in Manitoba.

Mr. Goertzen: The member will likely know that over the last many years, there has been, I think, the ability to purchase radon testing kits. There's been public education both in terms of information, I think, that's been put out by government but also, certainly, information that's been put out by the media as well. I'm not sure if–what more specifics he's looking for.

Mr. Gerrard: Yes, the–clearly, with the fact that many homes in Manitoba have been found to have high levels of radon, it would seem that preventing lung cancer by lowering exposure to radon would be a smart thing to do. I had just wondered whether the minister had any programs to do that.

Mr. Goertzen: No, I appreciate the member's line of questioning here. Again, it's been a topic of public discussion for a number of years in Manitoba. Certainly, our public health officers and those in particular who have experience in environmental health would provide information throughout the province. Of course, we do know that there is a larger level of radon in Manitoba than in other areas. So, you know, our public health officers would provide that information to–for example, I think the member raised the issue of schools. And so that is raised with individual school divisions and their officials, and they would take the action that they deem necessary.

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