TEST RESULTS OUT Health department says radon poses no danger to residents A NORTH Shore Health Department (NSHD) study measuring levels of cancer-causing radon in area homes has concluded that the gas presents no immediate health hazard to North Shore homeowners. Bill Kimmett, the NSHD’s chief public health inspector, said the focal six-month survey was con- ducted to determine resident ex- posure to the gas, which is known to cause lung cancer and can seep from the ground into buildings. It was part of an overall survey conducted around the province by the provincial Radiation Protec- tion Services (RPS) to establish basic data on what is a relatively newly identified health hazard. RPS radiation scientist David Mudtlat VANCOUVER PORT Cor- poration plans for the im- pending development of ap- proximately 88 acres of undeveloped Maplewood land owned by the Crown corporation will not be up for public discussion until the new year. By MICHAEL BECKER News Reporier Area residents and environmen- tal groups believe any development near the Maplewood mudflats will jeopardize the continued viability of the North Shore's last wetland and foreshore wildlife area. The estuarine mudflats are a rearing ground for salmon and trout and are home to 185 species of migratory waterfowl and other water birds. The port corpozation has con- tracted engineering consultants Hamilton Associates to compile a land development study in- vestigating development options for the land. Options being considered in- clude mixed housing development on the property north of Dollarton Highway and recreation-oriented community use or light retailing and commercial! use for the south waterfront portion of the parcel. The study, which began in June, had originally been expected to be released by mid-fali. But said Bar- bara Duggan. communications director for the port: ‘‘The consul- tant hasn’t delivered the report to the port yet. When we hays a pro- posal, we intend to make it public. By TIMOTHY RENSHAW Morley said the health problems related to radon have been known for approximately seven years, but radon conc n has_ increased marxedly ove: ihe past two years with release of information chronicling its dangers from the Environmental Protection Asency in the United States. An estimated 5,000 to 20,000 people in the United States die an- nually from lung cancer caused by radon gas. In Canada approx- imately one-tenth as many people die from radon gas exposure. Kimmett said the local survey included approximately 30 homes all over the North Shore, from Deep Cove to Lions Bay. Average levels of the cancer-causing gas found, he said, were well belcw guidelines establishea by the Unit- ed States and Canadian gov- ernments. “The levels were very low in all areas,’’ Kimmett said. ‘tSo we are in pretty good shape. There was nothing found to cause any con- cern,"” He said the health department 3 - Friday, November 25, 1988 - North Shore News therefore advises residents that it would be unnecessary to have their houses tested individually or to purchase radon-testing kits. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that emanates from decaying radium. Though it presents no documented health hazards when it is released outdoors, radon can be dangerous if it accumulates in enclosed spaces and is inhaled. The gas, which is given off from soil, can leak into houses through cracks in basement foundations and walls. Under the NSHD study, a ‘rad- trak monitor’ was placed in the main living areas of the North Shore homes and left for six months. The overall average radon level in the North Shore test houses was 0.55 picocuries (a term used to in- dicate radioactive levels) per litre (pCi/L). Radon levels found in similar studies done in various geographic areas of the Lower Mainland ranged from .36 up to .70 pCi/L. Guidelines for radon limits specified in the United States and Canada are four pCi/L and 20 pCi/L, respectively. New houses constructed in Canada must adhere to the United States radon limits. For more information call the NSHD at 988-5231. development plans revealed in ‘89 : Te STAMATIS ZOGARIS (foreground), Maplewood Flats coordinator for the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, spells out his position on the preservation of the estuarine wetland area to North Vancouver District Mayor Marilyn Baker. The two joined approximately 150 people earlier this month for a walk of the area. The Vancouver Port Corporation plans development on 88 acres of land in the vicinity. But I don’t see that happening un- til early in the new year.’’ The Western Canada Wilderness Committee (WCWC) compiled a brief arguing tor the preservation of the area and presented it to the port and surrounding municipalities earlier this year. In a letter sent to Maplewood sVEST VANCOUVER Reynolds wins on vote recount CAROL ANN Reynolds has officially won the sixth and final aldermanic seat in the West Vancouver municipal election. Her win was confirmed Thurs- day, following the release of results of an official recount, which was initiated after an addi- tional error in votes added for Reynolds from one of the municipality’s polls was discovered Saturday night. Broadcaster Barrie Clark, with 5,933 votes, had initially been declared the unofficial winner of the last aldermanic seat until the error was discovered by Reynolds’ MUNICIPAL campaign manager, George Pajari. Reynolds, whose initial vote tal- ly was 5,829, now has 5,999 votes compared with Clark’s new 5,794-vote total. Marginal changes in the vote totals of the other eight aldermanic candidates also resulted from the recount. Ald. Mark Sager had 9,368 and Flats coordinator Stamatis Zogaris, ports manager Francis MacNaughton said the port cor- poration will continue to be “cognizant of sensitivities pres- cnted from several sectors of the community."’ Said MacNaughton in the letter: “We can advise you that the Van- now nas 9,372 votes; mid. Alex Brokenshire went from 7,632 votes to 7,616; Ald. Pat Boname went from 7,037 to 7,019; aiderman- elect Andy Danyliu had 6,895 and now has 6,889; and Ald. Rod Day went from 6,457 to 6,434 votes. New vote totals for James Mac- Carthy, Tom Reid and Robert Fearn are 5,383, 5,143 and 4,233, respectively. Results from a vote recount in North Vancouver District, where incumbent Ald. Ernie Crist cur- rently trails Patrick Bruskiewich by five votes for the final district aldermanic seat, are expected to be released Monday. couver Port Corporation intends an ongoing consultation with the District of North Vancouver regarding this development which will involve a public information program.’’ MacNaughton maintained in the letter that the intertidal area and the land immediately west of it was Auto....... Classified Ads... . Editorial Page Entertainment . . Home & Garden........ Mailbox ......... What's Going On........28 sees dB weveeeee 29 15 not part of the development plan. Said WCWC director Paul George of the delayed report: ‘‘I think we’re making inroads on it, but it’s going to take time. The delay is good. This is the last big green space next to the water there. It’s incredibly shortsighted to develop it.”’ WEATHER Friday, cloudy with sunny periods. Chance of showers mixed with snow. Saturday, periods of rain. Second Ciass Registration Number 3885