What is Radon Gas?

Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. It is invisible, odourless and tasteless. When radon is released from the ground into the outdoor air, it is diluted and is not a concern. However, in enclosed spaces, like homes, it can accumulate to high levels and become a risk to the health of you and your family, such as causing lung cancer.

How Radon Gets Into Your Home

The air pressure inside your home is usually lower than in the soil surrounding the foundation. This difference in pressure draws air and other gases, including radon, from the soil into your home.

Radon can enter a home any place it finds an opening where the house contacts the ground: cracks in foundation floor and walls, construction joints, gaps around service pipes, support posts, window casements, floor drains, sumps, or cavities inside walls.

Radon Levels in Canada

Uranium is a common element found everywhere in the earth’s crust, and as a result, radon gas can be found in almost all homes in Canada. Concentrations differ greatly across the country but are usually higher in areas where there is a higher amount of uranium in underlying rock and soil.

Radon concentration levels will vary from one house to another, even if they are similar designs and next door to each other. The only way to be sure of the radon level in your home is to test.

Important Information

• Government of Canada: About Radon
• Radon Data Blog: Further Reading

• How to test for radon: Take Action – Radon
• Do-it-Yourself kits
  • BC Lung Association – order online or by calling 1-800-665-LUNG (5864).
  • List of other companies with do-it-yourself kits
  • Find a Measurement Professional
• Radon – Long-Term Test Instructions
  • Every home should be tested by a long-term test, 3 month minimum (91 days).
  • Ideally, testing should occur during winter months.
  • Re-test after you renovate, make your house more energy efficient, or make changes or additions to your Heating Ventilation Air Condition (HVAC) system that could influence indoor pressures.