A Canadian First Nations radon assessment and COVID-19 restrictions: A difficult pairing

• Published in: Journal of Community Safety and Well-Being
• Main Author: Jared Bishop
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SG Publishing 2023
• Subjects: pandemic; carcinogen; Micmac; Mi’kmaq; Human settlements. Communities; HT51-65; Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology; HV1-9960; Canada; First Nations
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.35502/jcswb.320; https://doaj.org/article/d95cb1c415494c0eaf515bdffb710161

Radon is a known carcinogen and a by-product of degrading naturally occurring radioactive elements. The North Shore Micmac District Council (NSMDC) board of directors, in Eastern New Brunswick, Canada, were aware of this issue and saw a need for increased radon testing and awareness in their communities. The initial plan was to administer a testing blitz across communities to gauge the current levels of radon exposure in both residential and band-owned structures. This, with Elder consultation and a participant health survey, would create a data set used to guide future strategies effectively and better direct resources to mitigate the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. These plans were put in place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic that began in March 2020. The subsequent provincial levels of restriction could not have been predicted. The ever-changing pandemic-related restrictions, and public health’s focus on a new deadly pathogen, led to difficulties managing and following through on many health and wellness projects. These circumstances led to a unique situation that delayed results, prolonged exposure to a known carcinogen, and may have consequences in the long term. Few procedures, treatments, or medications do not have side effects, and even warranted pandemic-related measures affect other aspects of health.