Terms and Conditions

Below, you will find our detailed informed consent information. This section outlines the purpose of the study, what participation involves, your rights as a participant, and how your data will be used and protected. We encourage you to review it carefully before deciding to take part. Your informed and voluntary participation is important to us.

Download Online Consent Form

The research project is organized by the EVICT RADON NATIONAL STUDY team of pan-Canadian cancer researchers at the BC Cancer Agency, the University of British Columbia, the University of Calgary, Queens University, the University of Waterloo, Dalhousie University, as well as the BC Generations Project, the Alberta Tomorrow Project, and the Atlantic PATH Project, which are all part of the CanPath coalition of longitudinal health studies.

For administrative purposes, the research ethics approval of this study was provided by the Health Research Ethics Board of Alberta – Cancer Committee.

STUDY TITLE: Understanding Canadian Environmental Lung Toxicant Exposures, Biomarkers and Health Impacts through Transdisciplinary, Citizen Science Research

FUNDED BY PEER-REVIEWED RESEARCH and OUTREACH GRANTS FROM:
Health Canada
The Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research
The Government of Alberta
The Alberta Real Estate Foundation
The Canada Foundation for Innovation

Study ID: HREBA.CC-24-0310

Contact Information: [email protected]

The project lead is Aaron Goodarzi, and he is joined by the following Senior Investigators from across Canada whose expertise is in (these disciplines): Maria Aristizabal (biology), Darren Brenner (epidemiology), Graham Dellaire (biology), Trevor Dummer (epidemiology), Doreen Ezeife (medicine), Amy Li (engineering), Geoff Maksym (engineering), Victor Martinez (biology), Cheryl Peters (epidemiology), Cathy Ryan (geoscience), Joshua Taron (building science), Alain Tremblay (medicine), Robin Urquhart (epidemiology), Alison Wallace (medicine), Michael Wieser (radiation physics), and Jennifer Vena (epidemiology).

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST in becoming a CITIZEN SCIENTIST participant within the Evict Radon National Study. It is very important that you understand that this is a citizen science-based study that requires you to purchase a specific radon testing kit (offered entirely at cost / nonprofit) to people living in Canada, via this project. For your convenience, the essential consent declarations (that you will need to agree with in the affirmative to participate) have been broken down into four simple sections that will follow this page. This is an online consent process, and no signatures are required. 

You can download all consent information for your own records HERE. Thank you for making our research processes better!

CONSENT Part 1 of 4: WHY AM I BEING ASKED TO TAKE PART IN THIS RESEARCH STUDY, AND WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
You are either:

Interested in radon testing and participating in scientific studies.
Invited to participated through a lung cancer screening program, oncologist, physician or patient advocate referral.
You have previously participated in the Evict Radon National Study and have consented to be contacted for future radon related research opportunities.
A part of a Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow longitudinal study cohort.

The PURPOSE of this study is to measure radon exposure in Canada to determine how this source of lung cancer is shaped by buildings, geologies, behaviours, and to develop technology needed to assess radon exposure in people.

The POINT OF THIS STUDY is to use radon exposure information to develop solutions to Canada’s worsening radon gas exposure problem and enable wider access to early lung cancer screening programs for people who need it.

Taking part in THIS STUDY IS VOLUNTARY and researchers are available to discuss this with you. You may leave the study at any time, without giving reason, and without penalty.

If you decide to participate in this study, you will need to respond “YES” to the statement below. If you want more information before answering, please read the full consent document HERE and/or contact [email protected].

Consent Statement 1: “I understand that I have been asked to take part in a research study and why it is being done.”
Yes, I understand
NO, I do not want to participate (this will end participation)

CONSENT Part 2 of 4: HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL TAKE PART IN THIS STUDY?
Up to 25,000 participants from across Canada might take part in CITIZEN SCIENTIST-based radon testing of their residential property or properties. Citizen science research is where members of the general public collect information on their environment in collaboration with professional scientists, with each party using some of their own resources to achieve this goal.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURING THIS STUDY? 
People who are interested in citizen-scientist based household radon testing are asked to do this by obtaining an at-cost (non-profit) long term radon test kit that is facilitated by and obtained from our study team, for CAD $53.99+GST. These radon devices are administered and quality-controlled by our C-NRPP (Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program) certified radon testing partner, Radon West Ltd. Purchased kits will then be mailed directly to the preferred residential address. Citizen Scientists pursuing this option will complete two short (10-20 minute) surveys, one when they register the kit online at the start of radon testing, and one when they enter the end date at the end of testing. Kits will be returned by pre-paid mail for analysis and all participants will receive their household radon test outcome by direct email.

Your commitment as a citizen scientist is to obtain the radon test from our study team for $53.99+GST, and perform the radon test in your primary household for a period of 91 to 365 days. You will also be asked to complete two online surveys, lasting between 10-20 minutes each.

Our commitment is to ensure the quality control of the radon testing process provides you with the most reliable household radon test outcome possible, typically within 6-8 weeks of the radon test device being returned successfully to the laboratory. We will also provide you free-to-download copies of all annual research outcomes, in one annual email sent out at the end of each calendar year.

Consent Statement 2: “I understand what I am to do (If I decided to take part) and how the information collected will only be used for this study.”
YES, I understand
NO, I do not want to participate (this will end participation)

CONSENT Part 3 of 4: WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES SHOULD I DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS STUDY? 

If you choose to participate in Citizen Scientist-based radon testing, you will be expected to perform the radon test and complete two short online surveys.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I CHOOSE TO WITHDRAW FROM THE STUDY EARLY? You can choose to end your participation in this research study at any time prior to the submission of findings for peer-review (called early withdrawal), without having to provide a reason. These requests should be submitted via email to [email protected].

WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OR RISKS OF PARTICIPATING IN THIS STUDY? The DIRECT BENEFIT of being a citizen science participant, is receiving a C-NRPP quality controlled long term radon result.

The POTENTIAL or INDIRECT BENEFITS of participation include: 

Increasing your personal knowledge of the origins and modifiers of the Canadian radon exposure problem.
Carrying out work that allows research teams to develop solutions to reduce and/or prevent radon exposures and reduce future lung cancer cases in Canada.
Enable research teams to develop new methods that can measure lifetime radon exposure, so that more people who need early screening for lung cancer can access these programs.

There are NO KNOWN RISKS of physical harm connected with participation in performing a radon test as part of this study.

The POTENTIAL or INDIRECT RISKS associated with participation include learning of a radon reading in the building tested that you or others may identify as a health concern. Please be aware that it is entirely your choice to act, or not, on the outcomes of a radon test. For radon levels at or over 200 Bq/m³, you are advised to reduce levels below this amount before selling your house to another person. If no action is taken, you are advised to disclose this outcome during a real estate transaction. For more information, we refer you to the most up to date facts via Health Canada and/or the C-NRPP. Please note that there are financial costs associated with installation of radon mitigation systems. The Evict Radon National Study is NOT affiliated in anyway with radon mitigation, installation or consultation.

If you decide to participate in this study, you will need to respond “YES” to the statement below. If you want more information before answering, please read the full consent document HERE and/or contact [email protected].

Consent Statement 3: “I understand the potential benefits and risks associated with this study and that I am free to leave this study at any time, without reason or penalty.”
YES, I understand
NO, I do not want to participate (this will end participation)

CONSENT Part 4 of 4: IS THERE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST RELATED TO THIS STUDY? 
No. There are no conflicts of interest relating to this study. The researchers and their families have no known personal connection to any for-profit group relating to this work. Funding from this study comes from public sector agencies. 

HOW WILL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION BE KEPT PRIVATE?

PLEASE BE ASSURED that all information entered will be kept 100% confidential and stored in secured, encrypted servers in Canada, subject to Canadian privacy laws.

WILL THERE BE COSTS TO PARTICIPATION / WILL I BE COMPENSATED FOR PARTICIPATION? At this time, Citizen Science participants are required to obtain an at cost, C-NRPP certified, radon test kit that are priced at $53.99+GST and that includes all postage to and from labs, and all other associated costs. There are no other financial costs associated with participation. There is no form of compensation associated with taking part in this research other than receiving your household radon test outcome.

WHAT IF MY RESIDENCE IS FOUND TO HAVE HIGH RADON THROUGH THIS STUDY? The purpose of this research is to evaluate radon levels in Canadian residential buildings, and so you will learn the level of radon (in Bq/m³, the unit that radon is measured in Canada) of your home. You are also able to learn this through many other radon testing options that are available to the public. If your residence is found to have levels of radon above Health Canada’s administrative action guideline of 200 Bq/m³, it is still your personal choice whether to take action (such as the installation of a professional radon reduction) or not. The Evict Radon National Study does not provide radon mitigation estimations or services, and the research team (and their families) are NOT directly affiliated with anyone who offers these services. How you respond to this information is entirely within your personal choice. For independent information on radon mitigation, please see the Canadian Nation Radon Proficiency Program and/or Health Canada.

WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AS A PARTICIPANT IN THIS STUDY? Your rights to privacy are legally protected by federal and provincial laws that require safeguards to ensure that your privacy is respected. By providing your consent to join this study, you do NOT give up any of your legal rights. 

If you decide to participate in this study, you will need to respond “YES” to the statement below. If you want more information before answering, please read the full consent document HERE and/or contact [email protected].

Consent Statement 4: “I understand that I do NOT give up any of my legal rights by participating in this study.”
YES, I understand
NO, I do not want to participate (this will end participation)

OK – YOU’RE ALL SET!
To become a Citizen Scientist Participant, please enter your full name, email address and click the consent button below. You will be redirected to the secure webstore where you can purchase your at-cost, C-NRPP approved radon test kit.

Here are some key things to know:

Who do I contact for questions related to this study? If you have questions about taking part in this study, you should first contact [email protected] for the most rapid response.

If you have any questions about your rights as a participant, or about ethical issues related to this study, and you would like to talk to someone who is not involved in the conduct of the study, please contact the Office of the Health Research Ethics Board of Alberta – Cancer Committee at: 
Telephone: 1 780 423 5727 
Toll Free: 1 877 423 5727

Upon consent, you will receive an automated, date-stamped email verifying your consent for your records. 

Download Detailed Consent Form

The research project is organized by the EVICT RADON NATIONAL STUDY team of pan-Canadian cancer researchers, who are located at the BC Cancer Agency, the University of British Columbia, the University of Calgary, Queens University, the University of Waterloo, Dalhousie University, as well as the BC Generations Project, the Alberta Tomorrow Project, and the Atlantic PATH Project, which are all part of the CanPath coalition of longitudinal health studies.

For administrative purposes, the research ethics approval of this study was provided by the Health Research Ethics Board of Alberta – Cancer Committee.

STUDY TITLE: Understanding Canadian Environmental Lung Toxicant Exposures, Biomarkers and Health Impacts through Transdisciplinary, Citizen Science Research

FUNDED BY PEER-REVIEWED RESEARCH and OUTREACH GRANTS FROM:
Health Canada
The Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research
The Government of Alberta
The Alberta Real Estate Foundation
The Canada Foundation for Innovation

Study ID: HREBA.CC-24-0310
Contact Information: [email protected]

The project lead is Aaron Goodarzi, and he is joined by the following Senior Investigators from across Canada whose expertise is in (these disciplines): Maria Aristizabal (biology), Darren Brenner (epidemiology), Graham Dellaire (biology), Trevor Dummer (epidemiology), Doreen Ezeife (medicine), Amy Li (engineering), Geoff Maksym (engineering), Victor Martinez (biology), Cheryl Peters (epidemiology), Cathy Ryan (geoscience), Joshua Taron (building science), Alain Tremblay (medicine), Robin Urquhart (epidemiology), Alison Wallace (medicine), Michael Wieser (radiation physics), and Jennifer Vena (epidemiology).

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST in becoming a CITIZEN SCIENTIST participant within the Evict Radon National Study. Before consenting to become a citizen scientist in our work, we ask that you please read the information below, so that you can become aware of the study terms and conditions.
Everything you need to know is explained in detail in this downloadable pdf that you should keep for your records. It is very important that you understand that this is a citizen science-based study that requires you to purchase a specific radon testing kit (offered entirely at cost / nonprofit) to people living in Canada, via this project. We thank you in advance for your time.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS of our CITIZEN SCIENCE RESEARCH
The PURPOSE of this study is to measure radon exposure in Canada to determine how this source of lung cancer is shaped by buildings, geologies, behaviours, and to develop technology needed to assess radon exposure in people. For plain language explanations of radon and its health effects, please visit https://evictradon.org/radon/.

The pan-Canadian confederation of researchers who are involved in this work come from many different disciplines, and are working together to use outcomes of this project to develop solutions to Canada’s existing and worsening radon exposure problem as it relates to lung cancer risk. You can read more about Canada’s radon exposure issue at the most recent Cross-Canada Survey of Radon found at: https://crosscanadaradon.ca/survey/.

The research project is organized by the Evict Radon National Study team of pan-Canadian cancer researchers at universities, longitudinal health studies and public health agencies across Canada but is administratively based at the University of Calgary. The project lead is Aaron Goodarzi, and he is joined by the Senior Investigators from across Canada. More information about our researchers may be found at www.evictradon.org/scientists/.

The Evict Radon National Study involves CITIZEN SCIENTIST-based research, which is a type of research where members of the general public collect information on their environment in collaboration with professional scientists, with each party using some of their own resources to achieve this. In our case, citizen scientists involved in this project are people who willing to purchase an at cost (nonprofit) radon test device to test the indoor air of residential buildings that they own or rent, and share the outcomes of these tests with the research team.

At this time, THIS STUDY IS OPEN TO ALL ADULTS LIVING IN CANADA who have the authority (and/or permission from adult occupants within the residential property in question) to perform a radon test; this includes people who may be:

Interested in radon testing and participating in scientific studies.
Invited to participate through an opportunity suggested by a lung cancer screening program, oncologist, physician or patient advocate referral.
A previous participant in the Evict Radon National Study, who consented to be contacted for future radon related research opportunities.
A part of a Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow longitudinal study cohort.

WHAT YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO CONSENT TO DO
For people who are interested in citizen science-based household radon testing, WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO is obtain a long term (91+ day) radon test kit via our study. These radon devices are administered and quality-controlled by our C-NRPP (Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program) certified radon testing partner.
You will be provided a link to purchase an at-cost (non-profit), research-grade radon test kit via our study team’s secure webstore for CAD $53.99+GST (no matter where in Canada you live). Purchased kits are sent to you directly via Canada Post. On receipt of your radon test kit, you are asked to deploy the test device in your residence for a period of 91 to 365 days and return the test kit in the provided, pre-labelled Tyvek envelope (provided with your kit).

Citizen Scientists are asked to complete two short surveys, one when they register the kit online at the start of radon testing, and one when they end the test.
At the end of the testing period (which can be anything from 91 to 365 days, as decided by the citizen scientist), you are asked to return kits by pre-paid mail.
Within several weeks of the testing laboratory receiving the radon test device, citizen scientists can expect to receive their household radon test outcome by direct email, using the email address they provide. Citizen Scientists may also request these results from our team, by emailing [email protected].

Citizen scientists also agree to be contacted by email regarding the ongoing outcomes of this study and closely related research opportunities. For example, citizen scientists can expect free-to-download copies of all annual research outcomes via one annual email sent out near the end of each calendar year. We wish you to know that, if you are not interested becoming a citizen scientist, radon test kits are widely available for sale via private retailers. We do not endorse any commercial entity and therefore cannot recommend alternative devices directly.

WHAT IS IN THE CITIZEN SCIENCE RADON TEST KITS?
Your non-profit Evict Radon National Study TEST KIT includes a long-term alpha track test device (called a RadTrak3), pre-paid return shipping from anywhere in Canada to our Canada-based test collection hub, the return envelope, kit deployment instructions, and the pre-paid radon test device analysis processing fee at the laboratory.

Other things you should know about the test kits include:
To deliver kits across Canada, we have elected to use Canada Post letter mail, which provides the most cost effective and reliable method of delivering parcels across all areas of Canada, no matter how remote.

You should place your radon test in your residence for a minimum of 91 days, ideally between September and the end of May. Tests deployed between April and August should be deployed for 180 days. As indicated above, it is your choice how long to test for. That said, please be aware that tests of less than 90 days in duration are not considered a reliable measure of radon in Canada (per advice from Health Canada).

If purchasing multiple radon tests for the same property, please register each kit separately and fill out the building metric, activity pattern and demographic surveys for each kit.

If purchasing multiple radon tests for different properties, please register each separately and fill out different building metric, activity pattern and demographic surveys for each property. Within a 6-8 weeks of shipping your kit to the return address, your property’s radon test results will be sent to you directly using the email address that you used to register the kit.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE RADON TESTING PROCESS:
Prior to selecting a test device for this study, our researchers evaluated a number of products currently on the market and determined that RadTrak3 long term radon test device manufactured by Radonova was the best fit to offer the most scientifically reliable results to all parties. Radonova Inc. labs are a radon test provider with ISO 17025, 14000 and 9001 Certifications – meaning they are one of two radon test manufacturers and testing laboratories certified to meet these international standards that specify rigorous requirements for a quality management system. For research that is to have global reach and recognition, using devices with these certifications is essential.

Radon testing in Canada must also be managed by C-NRPP (Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program) certified professionals, regardless of device. Our researchers work with C-NRPP professionals at Radon West Ltd to ensure radon test device quality controls and distribution meets current national standards.
The above information does not constitute an endorsement by any of the researchers involved in this project (or their home universities) for either Radon West Ltd or Radonova or any of their products or services. Outside the context of this research study, we are not in a position to certify the quality or reliability of any equipment sold by Radon West Ltd or Radonova.

The DIRECT BENEFIT of being a citizen science participant in this work is receiving your residence’s long-term radon reading via our quality-controlled radon testing process (e.g. use of duplicates, blanks, and controlled positives) that ensures the most reliable readings possible. Having radon results enhanced by these quality controls is not typically available through retail radon testing, but is integral to research.

The POTENTIAL or INDIRECT BENEFITS of participation include: 

Increasing your personal knowledge of the origins and modifiers of the Canadian radon exposure problem.
Carrying out work that allows Canadian cancer research teams to better develop and recommend solutions to reduce and/or prevent radon exposures now and in the future, something predicted to reduce the future burden of lung cancer in Canada.
Carrying out work that allows Canadian cancer research teams to develop a method to determine lifetime radon exposure that may be helpful to ensure more people who need early screening for lung cancer are able to access these programs.

There are NO KNOWN DIRECT RISKS of physical harm connected with participation in performing a radon test as part of this study. The POTENTIAL or INDIRECT RISKS associated participation in this work may include learning that the building you are testing contains radon levels that you or others may identify as being a health concern – this is true of obtaining radon information from any test device.

Please be aware that, in Canada, it is entirely your choice to act upon your radon test results to protect your health, and there are effective solutions to permanently reduce high radon exposure. If you decide to pursue mitigation there may be financial costs associated with installation of these systems. For radon levels at or over 200 Bq/m³, you are advised to reduce levels below this amount before selling your house to another person or, if no action is taken at all, at least disclose this outcome during a real estate transaction. For more information, we refer you to the most up to date facts via Health Canada and/or the C-NRPP.

PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
If you chose to participate as a Citizen Scientist in the Evict Radon National Study, then PLEASE BE ASSURED that all information entered in the following survey will be kept 100% confidential and stored in secured servers, subject to Canadian and EU general data protection regulation privacy laws. Identifiable data will never be shared with any third party and, once linked to your residence’s radon reading, will be de-identified so that you can never be personally traced within the data. Your specific address will never be published in any format, and specific residences and individual neighbourhoods are never linked to given radon readings. We take exceptional measures to ensure your privacy is maintained throughout this process. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this consent information or, if at any point you wish to withdraw from our study, please us at contact [email protected].

WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AS A PARTICIPANT IN THIS STUDY? Your rights to privacy are legally protected by federal and provincial laws that require safeguards to ensure that your privacy is respected. By providing your consent to join this study, you do NOT give up any of your legal rights. 

WHAT IF MY RESIDENCE IS FOUND TO HAVE HIGH RADON THROUGH THIS STUDY?  You will learn the level of radon of the residential building that you have radon tested for 91 days or more (measured in Bq/m³, the unit that radon is evaluated in Canada). If your residence is found to have levels of radon above Health Canada’s administrative action guideline of 200 Bq/m³, it is still your personal choice whether to take action (such as the installation of a professional radon reduction) or not.

The Evict Radon National Study does not provide radon mitigation estimations or services, and the research team (and their families) are NOT directly affiliated with anyone who offers these services. If you deem your household radon levels to be of concern to your health, we do provide up to date information on our website for those who are seeking information on mitigation. For independent information on radon mitigation, please see the Canadian Nation Radon Proficiency Program and/or Health Canada, and both of these groups may be contacted by phone or email. Radon testing is not unique to the Evict Radon National Study and you are also able to learn this through many other radon testing options that are available to the public.

ARE THERE ANY CONFLICT OF INTERESTS RELATED TO THIS STUDY? 
No. There are no conflicts of interest relating to this study. The researchers and their families have no known personal connection to any for-profit group relating to this work. Funding for this study comes from public sector agencies including those listed on the first page of this informed consent document. Additionally:

The researchers involved in this study (www.evictradon.org/scientists/) and their home institutions do NOT benefit in any way from the sale of test kits and have no financial stake in or relationship with either Radon West Ltd or Radonova, nor any other private radon testing or mitigation retail or industrial entity.
Identifiable information from surveys or radon tests are not shared with any 3rd party. Citizen scientists agree to provide researchers with the radon data for the property they have chosen to test for radon, which will be linked to the associated property metrics, demographics and activity patterns provided through online questionnaires.

For the purposes of study support, follow-up, reporting outcomes, and further information about radon-related research, citizen scientists agree that our team may contact them using the email address provided during informed consent. Citizen scientists may opt out of this contact list at any time. Once again, please be assured that your information will remain completely confidential and, in turn, is helping Canadian researchers understand and develop solutions to our radon problem.

If you have any questions about your rights as a participant, or about ethical issues related to this study, and you would like to talk to someone who is not involved in the conduct of the study, please contact the Office of the Health Research Ethics Board of Alberta – Cancer Committee at: 
Telephone: 1 780 423 5727 
Toll Free: 1 877 423 5727

DECLARATION OF INFORMED CONSENT (these consent questions are to be answered on the online consent form)
Thank you for reading the informed consent information above and for your interest in becoming a citizen scientist participant in the Evict Radon National Study. If you decide to participate in this study as a citizen scientist, you will need to respond “YES” to the specific informed consent statements below. If you want additional information before answering these question, please contact the study lead directly at [email protected].

Consent Statement 1: I understand that I have been asked to take part in a research study and why it is being done.
(Yes I understand)
NO, I do not want to participate (this will end participation)

Consent Statement 2: I understand what I am to do (If I decided to take part) and how the information collected will only be used for this study.
(Yes I understand)
NO, I do not want to participate (this will end participation)

Consent Statement 3: I understand the potential benefits and risks associated with this study and that I am free to leave this study at any time, without reason or penalty.
(Yes I understand)
NO, I do not want to participate (this will end participation)

Consent Statement 4: I understand that I do NOT give up any of my legal rights by participating in this study.
(Yes I understand)
NO, I do not want to participate (this will end participation)

By entering your full name, email address and clicking the consent button above, you will be directed to the secure webstore where you can purchase your at-cost kit. A list of answers to Frequently Asked Questions may be found at www.evictradon.org/FAQ and you can always email us at [email protected]. If at any point you wish to withdraw from our study, or have any concerns about the nature of this research study, please us at contact [email protected]. The review and approval of this national study was performed by the Health Research Ethics Board – Cancer Committee, which is based in Alberta, Canada. Study Ethics ID = HREBA.CC-24-0310

Download Online Consent Form

For administrative purposes, the research ethics approval of this study was provided by the Health Research Ethics Board of Alberta – Cancer Committee.

STUDY TITLE: Understanding Canadian Environmental Lung Toxicant Exposures, Biomarkers and Health Impacts through Transdisciplinary, Citizen Science Research

FUNDED BY PEER-REVIEWED RESEARCH and OUTREACH GRANTS FROM:
Health Canada
The Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research
The Government of Alberta
The Alberta Real Estate Foundation
The Canada Foundation for Innovation

Study ID: HREBA.CC-24-0310
Contact Information: [email protected]

The project lead is Aaron Goodarzi, and he is joined by the following Senior Investigators from across Canada whose expertise is in (these disciplines): Maria Aristizabal (biology), Darren Brenner (epidemiology), Graham Dellaire (biology), Trevor Dummer (epidemiology), Doreen Ezeife (medicine), Amy Li (engineering), Geoff Maksym (engineering), Victor Martinez (biology), Cheryl Peters (epidemiology), Cathy Ryan (geoscience), Joshua Taron (building science), Alain Tremblay (medicine), Robin Urquhart (epidemiology), Alison Wallace (medicine), Michael Wieser (radiation physics), and Jennifer Vena (epidemiology).

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST in becoming a RESEARCH PARTICIPANT in the Evict Radon National Study. This is a research study that requires you to perform a radon test for 120 days, in a residence where you have the authority and/or permission to carry this out. To be considered eligible, the Research Participant must have lived in their residence for five or more years and (to the best of their knowledge) will continue to live in this same residential building for the 120-day radon test period. For your convenience, the essential consent declarations (that you will need to agree with in the affirmative to participate) have been broken down into four simple sections that will follow this page. This is an online consent process, and no signatures are required. 
You can download all consent information for your own records HERE. Thank you for making our research processes better!

CONSENT Part 1 of 4: WHY AM I BEING ASKED TO TAKE PART IN THIS RESEARCH STUDY, AND WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
You are either:

Interested in radon testing and participating in scientific studies.
Invited to participated through a lung cancer screening program, oncologist, physician or patient advocate referral.
You have previously participated in the Evict Radon National Study and have consented to be contacted for future radon related research opportunities.
A part of a Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow longitudinal study cohort.

The PURPOSE of this study is to measure radon exposure in Canada to determine how this source of lung cancer is shaped by buildings, geologies, behaviours, and to develop technology needed to assess radon exposure in people.

The POINT OF THIS STUDY is to use radon exposure information to develop solutions to Canada’s worsening radon gas exposure problem and enable wider access to early lung cancer screening programs for people who need it.

To achieve these goals, the Evict Radon National Study involves PARTICIPATORY research, where Research Participants are asked to collect biological specimens such as clippings of their toenails, and/or provide additional information such as factors influencing their lung health and/or disability status.

Taking part in THIS STUDY IS VOLUNTARY and researchers are available to discuss this with you. You may leave the study at any time, without giving reason, and without penalty.

If you decide to participate in this study, you will need to respond “YES” to the statement below. If you want more information before responding, please read the full consent document HERE and/or contact [email protected].

Consent Statement 1: “I understand that I have been asked to take part in a research study and why it is being done.”
Yes, I understand
NO, I do not want to participate (this will end participation)

CONSENT Part 2 of 4: HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL TAKE PART IN THIS STUDY?
Up to 11,500 eligible and willing persons may be invited to become RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS. Up to 10,000 Research Participants will be provided with a no-cost, C-NRPP certified radon test kit and asked to provide all toenail clippings over their 120-day radon testing period. Radon decay products will be measured in these toenail clippings to determine personalized lifetime radon exposure and analyse lung cancer risk. An additional 1,500 persons who are experiencing disability will also be recruited for a project exploring the relationship between disability and lung cancer risk from environmental exposures such as radon.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURING THIS STUDY? 
People who are experiencing disability and/or who are interested in providing samples of their toenails over 120 days (4 months) during a radon test have the option to complete an online eligibility survey to determine if they meet the criteria to become a Research Participant in the Evict Radon National Study.

Regardless of eligibility, all persons are still able to access Citizen Scientist-based, radon resting via the Evict Radon National Study website where people in Canada can purchase at-cost, C-NRPP approved radon test kits.

There are two eligibility surveys that ask the minimal amount of information our team needs to determine whether a person is eligible to participate in either the toenail testing and/or the disability-focussed parts of our current research. These short surveys should take ~5 minutes and can be completed at your leisure. Once your responses are recorded:

Our team will then verify your eligibility, and, if eligible, YOU MAY BE INVITED to consent and become a Research Participant. We need to balance the people who are invited to participate in this work so that the final group is representative of the Canadian population as a whole. While enrollment is limited, eligible persons will be invited on a first come, first served basis. If you are invited and you accept, we will then mail you a study kit that contains everything you need as a research participant.

Your commitment is to perform a radon test in your primary household for a period of 120 days only. People who have consented to provide toenail clippings, will collect everything they generate over the same 120-day period as their radon test, and return these together with the radon test to our team for analysis. You will also be asked to complete three online surveys, lasting between 10-20 minutes each.

You are committing to the radon test period being a minimum of 120 days and a maximum of 127 days. You will also need to deploy the radon test on or after September 1st and before the end of February 1st of a given calendar year.

For participants joining this work via referral from a CanPath longitudinal health study, the outcomes of your radon test will be linked to your participant file within those studies, and your agreements with the CanPath study will apply.

Participant data is always fully de-identified, so that your name, contact information, address, personal responses, and specific radon test results are NEVER published, or searchable in any way whatsoever where you can be identified. Your privacy is our highest priority.

WHY ARE WE STUDYING RADON IN TOENAILS? 
Our project focusses on determining whether lifetime exposure to radon can be measured using the radon decay products that accumulate in the human body over time after exposure to radon gas. Some of these decay products are removed slowly by our bodies in tissues such as our hair and nails, and we are figuring out if they are a helpful measure of long term radon exposure. Toenails are ideal for this study since they are not subject to as many chemicals (shampoo, household cleaning products, dyes, etc), grow slower than fingernails, are something almost everyone has, and are generally easy for most people to collect.

If you decide to participate in this study, you will need to respond “YES” to the statement below. If you want more information before responding, please read the full consent document HERE and/or contact [email protected].

Consent Statement 2: “I understand what I am to do (If I decided to take part) and how the information collected will only be used for this study.”
Yes, I understand
NO, I do not want to participate (this will end participation)

CONSENT Part 3 of 4: WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES SHOULD I DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS STUDY?  If you choose to participate as a Research Participant in the Evict Radon National Study, you will be expected to perform the radon test in your primary household for 120 days, and complete two online surveys. Eligible persons selected to participate in the toenail study will be asked to complete a third online survey. Eligible persons selected to participate in the toenail study will be asked to collect all toenail clippings (from all toes) over a 120 period of their radon test, as well as an additional third online survey.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I CHOOSE TO WITHDRAW FROM THE STUDY EARLY? You can choose to end your participation in this research study at any time prior to the submission of findings for peer-review (called early withdrawal), without having to provide a reason. These requests should be submitted via email to [email protected].

WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OR RISKS OF PARTICIPATING IN THIS STUDY? The DIRECT BENEFIT of being a Research Participant, is receiving a no cost, C-NRPP quality controlled long term radon test kit and the associated radon result.

The POTENTIAL or INDIRECT BENEFITS of participation include: 
Increasing your personal knowledge of the origins and modifiers of the Canadian radon exposure problem.
Carrying out work that allows research teams to develop solutions to reduce and/or prevent radon exposures and reduce future lung cancer cases in Canada.
Enable research teams to develop new methods that can measure lifetime radon exposure, so that more people who need early screening for lung cancer can access these programs.

There are NO KNOWN RISKS of physical harm connected with participation in performing a radon test as part of this study. For those participating in toenail clipping collection, these risks are the same as you might normally encounter as part of personal grooming. Those participating in the disability study will be asked to recall and report on the nature of their disability and how it impacts how they split their time between different environments and should be aware of this.

The POTENTIAL or INDIRECT RISKS associated with participation include learning of a radon reading in the building tested that you or others may identify as a health concern. Please be aware that it is entirely your choice to act, or not, on the outcomes of a radon test. For radon levels at or over 200 Bq/m³, you are advised to reduce levels below this amount before selling your house to another person. If no action is taken, you are advised to disclose this outcome during a real estate transaction. For more information, we refer you to the most up to date facts via Health Canada and/or the C-NRPP. Please note that there are financial costs associated with installation of radon mitigation systems. The Evict Radon National Study is NOT affiliated in anyway with radon mitigation, installation or consultation. If you are experiencing disability, you will be asked to report how this may or may not impact how your split your time between different buildings.

If you decide to participate in this study, you will need to respond “YES” to the statement below. If you want more information before responding, please read the full consent document HERE and/or contact [email protected].

Consent Statement 3: “I understand the potential benefits and risks associated with this study and that I am free to leave this study at any time, without reason or penalty.”
YES, I understand
NO, I do not want to participate (this will end participation)

CONSENT Part 4 of 4: IS THERE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST RELATED TO THIS STUDY? 
No. There are no conflicts of interest relating to this study. The researchers and their families have no known personal connection to any for-profit group relating to this work. Funding from this study comes from public sector agencies. 

HOW WILL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION BE KEPT PRIVATE? PLEASE BE ASSURED that all information entered will be kept 100% confidential and stored in secured, encrypted servers in Canada, subject to Canadian privacy laws.

WILL THERE BE COSTS TO PARTICIPATION / WILL I BE COMPENSATED FOR PARTICIPATION? Participation will NOT COST you anything.
If you are selected and agree to participate in the radon and disability research, you will get:

1 long term radon test kit
1 prepaid return envelope
Printed instructions

If you are selected to participate and agree in the radon in toenail research, you will get:

1 long term radon test kit
1 toenail collection kit containing four labelled bags (one per 30-day period)
1 prepaid return envelope
Printed instructions

WHAT IF MY RESIDENCE IS FOUND TO HAVE HIGH RADON THROUGH THIS STUDY?  The purpose of this research is to evaluate radon levels in Canadian residential buildings, and so you will learn the level of radon (in Bq/m³, the unit that radon is measured in Canada) of your home. You are also able to learn this through many other radon testing options that are available to the public. If your residence is found to have levels of radon above Health Canada’s administrative action guideline of 200 Bq/m³, it is still your personal choice whether to take action (such as the installation of a professional radon reduction) or not. The Evict Radon National Study does not provide radon mitigation estimations or services, and the research team (and their families) are NOT directly affiliated with anyone who offers these services. How you respond to this information is entirely within your personal choice. For independent information on radon mitigation, please see the Canadian Nation Radon Proficiency Program and/or Health Canada.

WHAT IF SOMETHING IS DISCOVERED ABOUT ME DURING THIS STUDY? If you are participating in the toenail study, you will receive a report on the aggregated outcomes this part of the project once we have completed the analysis. The report will show the outcomes for the whole group in a de-identified manner, contextualized to household radon exposures across the population. As this is a research study whose experimental outcomes are not yet certain, we do not yet know if the measurement of radon decay products in toenails are going to be helpful for personalized risk evaluation, and so at this time we cannot guarantee that we will be able to share your individual toenail analysis outcome with you. We can say that, if this information is determined to be helpful to you in a manner that does no harm, we will make every effort to share this with you by direct communication, and following the appropriate approvals sought from the research ethics oversight board who evaluate what we do.

WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AS A PARTICIPANT IN THIS STUDY? Your rights to privacy are legally protected by federal and provincial laws that require safeguards to ensure that your privacy is respected. By providing your consent to join this study, you do NOT give up any of your legal rights. 

If you decide to participate in this study, you will need to respond “YES” to the statement below. If you want more information before responding, please read the full consent document HERE and/or contact [email protected]

Consent Statement 4: “I understand that I do NOT give up any of my legal rights by participating in this study.”
YES, I understand
NO, I do not want to participate (this will end participation)

OK – YOU’RE ALL SET!
To become a Research Participant, please enter your full name, email address and click the consent button below.

Here are some key things to know:

Who do I contact for questions related to this study? If you have questions about taking part in this study, you should first contact [email protected] for the most rapid response.
If you have any questions about your rights as a participant, or about ethical issues related to this study, and you would like to talk to someone who is not involved in the conduct of the study, please contact the Office of the Health Research Ethics Board of Alberta – Cancer Committee at: 
Telephone: 1 780 423 5727 
Toll Free: 1 877 423 5727

Upon consent, you will receive an automated, date-stamped email verifying your consent for your records. 

Download Detailed Consent Form

For administrative purposes, the research ethics approval of this study was provided by the Health Research Ethics Board of Alberta – Cancer Committee.

STUDY TITLE: Understanding Canadian Environmental Lung Toxicant Exposures, Biomarkers and Health Impacts through Transdisciplinary, Citizen Science Research

FUNDED BY PEER-REVIEWED RESEARCH and OUTREACH GRANTS FROM:
Health Canada
The Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research
The Government of Alberta
The Alberta Real Estate Foundation
The Canada Foundation for Innovation

Study ID: HREBA.CC-24-0310
Contact Information: [email protected]

The project lead is Aaron Goodarzi, and he is joined by the following Senior Investigators from across Canada whose expertise is in (these disciplines): Maria Aristizabal (biology), Darren Brenner (epidemiology), Graham Dellaire (biology), Trevor Dummer (epidemiology), Doreen Ezeife (medicine), Amy Li (engineering), Geoff Maksym (engineering), Victor Martinez (biology), Cheryl Peters (epidemiology), Cathy Ryan (geoscience), Joshua Taron (building science), Alain Tremblay (medicine), Robin Urquhart (epidemiology), Alison Wallace (medicine), Michael Wieser (radiation physics), and Jennifer Vena (epidemiology).

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST in becoming a RESEARCH PARTICIPANT within the Evict Radon National Study. Before consenting to become a research participant in our work, we ask that you please read the information below, so that you can become aware of the study terms and conditions. Everything you need to know is explained in detail in this downloadable pdf that you should keep for your records. We thank you in advance for your time.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS of our PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH
The PURPOSE of this study is to measure radon exposure in Canada in multiple different ways, determine how this source of lung cancer is shaped by buildings, geologies, behaviours, and to develop technology needed to assess radon exposure in different groups of people using biological specimens such as toenail clippings. For plain language explanations of radon and its health effects, please visit https://evictradon.org/radon/.

The research project is organized by the Evict Radon National Study team of pan-Canadian cancer researchers at universities, longitudinal health studies and public health agencies across Canada, and is administratively based at the University of Calgary. The project lead is Aaron Goodarzi, and he is joined by the Senior Investigators from across Canada. More information about our researchers may be found at www.evictradon.org/scientists/.

The Evict Radon National Study involves PARTICIPATORY research, in which eligible people agree to deploy radon test devices to test the indoor air of residential buildings in which they live (and have lived for at least give years), and share the outcomes of these radon tests with the research team. Participants are additionally asked to collect biological specimens such as clippings of their toenails, and/or provide additional information such as factors influencing their lung health and/or disability status.

WHY TOENAILS? Our project focusses on determining lifetime exposure to radon by measuring the radon decay products that accumulate in humans after exposure to radon gas and radon-decay products. In simple terms, radon decay products are removed slowly by our bodies in several different ways, including via our hair and nails. Toenails are ideal for this study since they are something that nearly everyone has, are not exposed to as many chemicals (household detergents, etc.) compared to hair or fingernails, and are relatively easy for most people to collect, store, and send.

At this time, THIS STUDY IS OPEN TO ALL ELIGIBILE ADULTS LIVING IN CANADA who have the authority (and/or permission from adult occupants within the residential property in question) to perform a radon test; this includes people who may be:

Interested in radon testing and participating in scientific studies.
Invited to participate through an opportunity suggested by a lung cancer screening program, oncologist, physician or patient advocate referral.
A previous participant in the Evict Radon National Study, who consented to be contacted for future radon related research opportunities.
A part of a Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow longitudinal study cohort.

In all cases, TO BE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE, prospective research participants must have lived in the residence to be radon-tested for five years or more, at the time their radon test is to start. To be considered eligible, prospective participants must also verify that (to the best of their knowledge) they will continue to live in this same residential building for the 120 day period of study participation, after which there are no further obligations.

At this time, up to 11,500 eligible and willing persons may be INVITED to become RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS to perform a radon test.
Up to 10,000 eligible research participants may be requested to provide all toenail clipping samples they collect over a 120 day period, to be used for the purpose of measuring the presence of radon decay products. In that project, our goal is to determine if long-term, personal exposure to radon can be evaluated by measuring the radon decay products that are present in certain ‘disposable’ human tissues. Toenail clippings are ideal for this purpose as, compared to things such as hair or fingernails, they are not routinely exposed to quite as many chemicals (cleaning products, foods, dyes, etc.) that might complicate the analysis, they grow more slowly compared to these other tissues (meaning they are a better read out of longer-term exposures), and are they generally easy and comfortable for most people to collect.

An additional 1,500 eligible research participants who are experiencing disability are also being recruited for a project exploring the relationship between how disability influences time spent at home versus other environments, and the influence this has on lung cancer risk from environmental exposures such as radon. These persons are also eligible to participate in the toenail collection study outlined above, if they wish, and would be sent a toenail collection kit alongside their disability-study specific radon test.

WHAT YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO DO TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY.
For people who are interested in becoming research participants for the projects described in the previous section, WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO is first complete one of two online eligibility surveys, with survey choice depending on whether or not you are experiencing a disability that has lasted for six months or more.
Upon submission of eligibility survey responses, our team will then verify eligibility and, if you are then selected, you will be contacted to confirm your consent.
Please be aware that we aim to recruit people “evenly” across Canada – meaning that the final group of participants reflects Canada (where we are living, etc.) in the best possible way we can achieve. Beyond this, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, to be as fair as possible to those interested in this work.
We aim to send out invitations on the 1st and 15th day of each month (or nearest business day) until all available participant slots are taken.

If INVITED, you will be provided with detailed consent information so that you can make an informed decision to agree to participate. Selected, eligible persons who then provide informed consent will be considered research participants and shall be mailed a study kit that contains a no-cost, C-NRPP certified radon testing device and/or toenail collection kit.

If you are NOT selected to participate, or do not wish to carry out the research participant activities outlined within this document (such as collecting your toenails or completing disability surveys), but you are still interested in testing for radon, then you may wish to consider becoming an Evict Radon National Study citizen scientist, which you can learn more about by going to our study website.

WHAT YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO DO AS A SELECTED RESEARCH PARTICIPANT.
Everyone who consents to being a research participant will receive a no-cost 120 day radon test kit via Canada Post, and are asked to deploy this within their primary house (meaning the building in which you typically sleep for a majority of the year). These radon devices are administered and quality-controlled by our C-NRPP (Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program) certified radon testing partner.

You will need to provide us your home address, and we will send you (at no cost) a study participation kit directly via Canada Post.
On receipt of your study participation kit, you are asked to deploy the radon test device in your residence for a period of 120 days, and return the test kit in the provided, pre-labelled Tyvek envelope (provided with your kit).

All research Participants are asked to complete two short online surveys, one that will happen when you register the radon kit online at the start of radon testing period, and one at the very end of the 120 day radon test, just before you return the device via the post. It is important that your try your best to carry out your radon test for 120 days only. The testing period needs to be a minimum of 120 days and a maximum of 127 days.

To help you meet this research participant obligation, we will provide you with automated reminders by email, as you near your “end test” date.
Research Participants who consent to participate in the disability research are ALSO asked to complete a third online questionnaire to answer additional disability and lung health related questions. The disability project-specific survey will be provided to you part way through your radon test period and is estimated to take 20-30 minutes to complete.

As long as the responses to these questions are about you, a caregiver is welcome to assist you in completing this (or any other) online survey as part of this research.
Research Participants who consent to provide toenail clipping samples are ALSO asked to collect all clippings from their toenails over the entire 120 day period of the radon test. We ask that you shower / clean your feet prior to clipping your toenails during the period you are collecting samples for this research. We ask that you remove any toenail polish before collecting your toenails at least 14 days before clipping them. All toenail clippings should be obtained using your own preferred grooming tools and then placed in bags that we provide. There are four bags in total, each intended to contain all toenail clippings you obtain every 30 days. Part way through the radon-testing / toenail clipping collection period, you will be asked to complete a third online survey related specifically to the toenail analysis study.

Research Participants who consent to participate in the disability research may opt to also collect toenails. While not mandatory, this option is available in the interests of fairness, and these research participants would be asked to complete all activities outlined in points #4 and #5 above.

At the end of the 120 day testing period, you are asked to return kits by pre-paid mail.

Within several weeks of the testing laboratory receiving the radon test device, research participants can expect to receive their household radon test outcome by direct email, using the email address they provide. Research participants may also request these results from our team, by emailing [email protected].
Research participants also agree to be contacted by email regarding the ongoing outcomes of this study and closely related research opportunities. For example, research participants can expect free-to-download copies of all annual research outcomes via one annual email sent out near the end of each calendar year.
We wish you to know that, if you are not interested becoming a research participant, radon test kits are widely available for sale via private retailers. We do not endorse any commercial entity and therefore cannot recommend alternative devices directly.

WHAT IS IN THE RESEARCH PARTICIPANT RADON TEST KITS?
Your Evict Radon National study TEST KIT includes a long-term alpha track test device (called a RadTrak3), pre-paid return shipping from anywhere in Canada to our Canada-based test collection hub, the return envelope, kit deployment instructions, and the pre-paid radon test device analysis processing fee at the laboratory.

Other things you should know about the test kits include:

To deliver kits across Canada, we have elected to use Canada Post letter mail, which provides the most cost effective and reliable method of delivering parcels across all areas of Canada, no matter how remote.
You should place your radon test in your residence for 120 days only, between the start of September and very early June; this means the last date to deploy the kit in a given year is approximately February 1st.
If you have consented to collect toenail clipping samples, you will ALSO receive four pre-labelled small plastic bags, together with toenail collection instructions.
Within a 6-8 weeks of shipping your kit to the return address, your residences’ radon test results will be sent to you directly using the email address that you used to register the kit.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE RADON TESTING PROCESS:
Prior to selecting a test device for this study, our researchers evaluated a number of products currently on the market and determined that RadTrak3 long term radon test device manufactured by Radonova was the best fit to offer the most scientifically reliable results to all parties. Radonova Inc. labs are a radon test provider with ISO 17025, 14000 and 9001 Certifications – meaning they are one of two radon test manufacturers and testing laboratories certified to meet these international standards that specify rigorous requirements for a quality management system. For research that is to have global reach and recognition, using devices with these certifications is essential.

The DIRECT BENEFIT of being a research participant in this work is receiving a quality controlled long term radon test kit and your residence’s long-term radon reading via our C-NRPP quality-controlled radon testing process (e.g. use of duplicates, blanks, and controlled positives) that ensures the most reliable readings possible. Having radon results enhanced by these quality controls is not typically available through retail radon testing, but is integral to research.

The POTENTIAL or INDIRECT BENEFITS of participation include: 

Increasing your personal knowledge of the origins and modifiers of the Canadian radon exposure problem.
Carrying out work that allows Canadian cancer research teams to better develop and recommend solutions to reduce and/or prevent radon exposures now and in the future, something predicted to reduce the future burden of lung cancer in Canada.
Carrying out work that allows Canadian cancer research teams to develop a method to determine lifetime radon exposure that may be helpful to ensure more people who need early screening for lung cancer are able to access these programs.

There are NO KNOWN DIRECT RISKS of physical harm connected with participation in performing a radon test as part of this study, beyond what is normal for grooming your toenails.

The POTENTIAL or INDIRECT RISKS associated participation in this work may include learning that the building you are testing contains radon levels that you or others may identify as being a health concern – this is true of obtaining radon information from any test device. If you are experiencing disability, you will be asked to report how this may or may not impact how your split your time between different buildings.

Please be aware that, in Canada, it is entirely your choice to act upon your radon test results to protect your health, and there are effective solutions to permanently reduce high radon exposure. If you decide to pursue mitigation there may be financial costs associated with installation of these systems. For radon levels at or over 200 Bq/m³, you are advised to reduce levels below this amount before selling your house to another person or, if no action is taken at all, at least disclose this outcome during a real estate transaction. For more information, we refer you to the most up to date facts via Health Canada and/or the C-NRPP.

PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
If you chose to become a research participant in the Evict Radon National Study, then PLEASE BE ASSURED that all information entered in the following survey will be kept 100% confidential and stored in secured servers, subject to Canadian and EU general data protection regulation privacy laws. Identifiable data will never be shared with any third party and, once linked to your residence’s radon reading, will be de-identified so that you can never be personally traced within the data. Your specific address will never be published in any format, and specific residences and individual neighbourhoods are never linked to given radon readings. We take exceptional measures to ensure your privacy is maintained throughout this process. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this consent information or, if at any point you wish to withdraw from our study, please us at contact [email protected].

WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AS A PARTICIPANT IN THIS STUDY?
Your rights to privacy are legally protected by federal and provincial laws that require safeguards to ensure that your privacy is respected. By providing your consent to join this study, you do NOT give up any of your legal rights. 

WHAT IF MY RESIDENCE IS FOUND TO HAVE HIGH RADON THROUGH THIS STUDY? 
You will learn the level of radon of the residential building that you have radon tested for 91 days or more (measured in Bq/m³, the unit that radon is evaluated in Canada). If your residence is found to have levels of radon above Health Canada’s administrative action guideline of 200 Bq/m³, it is still your personal choice whether to take action (such as the installation of a professional radon reduction) or not.

For independent information on radon mitigation, please see the Canadian Nation Radon Proficiency Program and/or Health Canada, and both of these groups may be contacted by phone or email. Radon testing is not unique to the Evict Radon National Study and you are also able to learn this through many other radon testing options that are available to the public.

WHAT IF SOMETHING IS DISCOVERED ABOUT ME DURING THIS STUDY? 
If you are participating in the toenail study, you will receive a plain language report on the aggregated outcomes this part of the project once we have completed the analysis. The report will show the outcomes for the whole group in a de-identified manner, contextualized to household radon exposures across the population. As this is a research study whose experimental outcomes are not yet certain, we do not yet know if the measurement of radon decay products in toenails are going to be helpful for personalized risk evaluation, and so at this time we cannot guarantee that we will be able to share your individual toenail analysis outcome with you.
We can say that, if this information is determined to be helpful to you in a manner that does no harm, we will make every effort to share this with you by direct communication, following the appropriate approvals from the research ethics oversight board who evaluate what we do.

ARE THERE ANY CONFLICT OF INTERESTS RELATED TO THIS STUDY? 
No. There are no conflicts of interest relating to this study. The researchers and their families have no known personal connection to any for-profit group relating to this work. Funding for this study comes from public sector agencies including those listed on the first page of this informed consent document. Additionally, the researchers involved in this study (www.evictradon.org/scientists/) and their home institutions do NOT benefit in any way from the sale of test kits and have no financial stake in or relationship with either Radon West Ltd or Radonova, nor any other private radon testing or mitigation retail or industrial entity.
Identifiable information from surveys or radon tests are not shared with any 3rd party. Research Participants agree to provide researchers with the radon data for the property they have chosen to test for radon, which will be linked to the associated property metrics, demographics and activity patterns provided through online questionnaires.

For the purposes of study support, follow-up, reporting outcomes, and further information about radon-related research, research participants agree that our team may contact them using the email address provided during informed consent. Research Participants may opt out of this contact list at any time. Once again, please be assured that your information will remain completely confidential and, in turn, is helping Canadian researchers understand and develop solutions to our radon problem.

If you have any questions about your rights as a participant, or about ethical issues related to this study, and you would like to talk to someone who is not involved in the conduct of the study, please contact the Office of the Health Research Ethics Board of Alberta – Cancer Committee at: 
Telephone: 1 780 423 5727 
Toll Free: 1 877 423 5727

DECLARATION OF INFORMED CONSENT (these consent questions are to be answered on the online consent form)
Thank you for reading the informed consent information above and for your interest in becoming a research participant in the Evict Radon National Study. If you decide to participate in this study, you will need to respond “YES” to the specific informed consent statements below. If you want additional information before answering these question, please contact the study lead directly at [email protected].

Consent Statement 1: I understand that I have been asked to take part in a research study and why it is being done.
(Yes I understand)
NO, I do not want to participate (this will end participation)

Consent Statement 4: I understand that I do NOT give up any of my legal rights by participating in this study.
(Yes I understand)

NO, I do not want to participate (this will end participation)

Attention (July 1st, 2025 - present): Update on Potential Canada Post Strike.