Radon Gas

Radon is an invisible, odourless, radioactive gas released from the natural breakdown of uranium found in soils and rocks, which is common within our region.

Radon gas causes lung cancer. The risk of cancer depends on the levels of radon and amount of contact with radon and tobacco smoke over a lifetime. According to Health Canada, “There is no [radon] level that is considered risk free.” 

• Radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers
• Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer overall, next to smoking 
• Smoking significantly increases your risk of lung cancer
• Health Canada estimates one in three smokers exposed to high radon levels will develop lung cancer

Although radon is natural, it can build up inside buildings and become harmful to human health. According to Health Canada, radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.

Radon takes the easiest path into our homes and indoor places. Radon can enter a building through small or large openings in the foundation. The amount of radon entering can be affected by the heating and ventilation system. During the cooler months, windows and doors are often closed and rising warm air in a home draws more radon from the ground.

How radon enters a house

Radon will be present in all indoor spaces such as homes, places of work, schools, daycares and public buildings. Indoor areas in contact with or below the ground are more likely to contain higher levels. While any amount of radon puts our health at risk, the longer the contact the greater the risk. 

The only way to know the radon levels in your home or other buildings is to test for radon. Just because your neighbours may have low radon levels does not mean the levels in your home are low, too. How each house is constructed can make a big difference and will impact if you have radon in your home.

A radon detection puck like the one pictured below can be placed in your home or building to measure radon levels:

Testing is the only way to know the level of radon in your home or building, so be sure to order a radon test kit. Ideally, testing should occur during winter months

There are two types of radon tests: long term and short term. We recommend using long-term tests, as they provide the most accurate picture of what you are breathing. Long-term tests are those in which the radon detector is in place for a minimum three months (91 days). You can get a long-term radon test kit through the links below:

• Do-it-Yourself Kits:
  • BC Lung Foundation – Order online or call BC Lung Foundation
  • BC Lung Foundation Radon Detector Library Lending Program
  • List of other companies with do-it-yourself kits
• Find a measurement professional

You should re-test after you:

• Renovate
• Make your house more energy efficient (e.g., new windows, new weather stripping)
• Make changes or additions to your heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) system that could influence indoor pressures

See the Resources section below for information on testing homes, schools and large buildings.

Follow the actions listed below to lower radon levels in your home or building. Remember to complete another long-term radon test to know if your fix worked.

Active soil depressurization is the best and most permanent method for reducing radon because it provides an alternate path for the radon gas to travel rather than into the building. The cost can range between $350 and $3,000, depending upon site-specifics.

Ventilation methods for radon in the home

Learn more about radon

• Radon: Take steps toward a healthier life
• Radon in Your New Home
• Radon (BC Centre for Disease Control)
• How Radon Affects You (BC Cancer)
• Interactive radon map of B.C. (BC Centre for Disease Control)
• Regional District of Central Okanagan - Radon Testing Information
• Mike Holmes on Radon 

Radon and lung health

• Radon and Lung Health (BC Lung Foundation)
• An Open Statement on Lung Cancer Risk Attributable to Radon Exposure (Jan. 2024)
• Radon and lung cancer: A call to action for physicians and policymakers (CMAJ podcast interview with Dr. Silvina Mema and Greg Baytalan)
• Radon and lung cancer risk (CMAJ article by Dr. Silvina Mema and Greg Baytalan)

Measuring, reducing and mitigating radon

• Health Canada - Guide for Radon Measurements in Residential Dwellings (Homes) (Health Canada)
• Radon Reduction Guide for Canadians (Health Canada)
• Find a Professional – The Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program
  • Become a certified radon professional (C-NRPP)
  • Continuing education courses for professionals (C-NRPP)

Resources for local governments and schools

• Radon action guide for municipalities (Government of Canada)
• Get Schooled on Radon - An Introduction (RadonWest)
  • Video Presentation
  • Presentation Slides
• Guide for Radon Measurements in Public Buildings (Schools, Hospitals, Care Facilities, Detention Centres) (Health Canada)
• Take Action on Radon
  • 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge 
• Radon Testing Information Letter for school staff, parents and students, Medical Health Officer Letter, January 2023
• Radon Testing in Schools, Medical Health Officer Letter, June 6, 2022
• Radon measurement and mitigation in schools (BC Centre for Disease Control)

Radon advocacy and organizations

• Evict Radon
• Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST)
• BC Lung Foundation

Radon research

• Cross-Canada Survey of Radon (2024)
• Cross-Canada Survey of Radon Concentrations in Homes (Health Canada) (2012)

In 2024, BC Lung and Interior Health held a radon skill testing contest open to students in the Interior Health region from grades 4 to 12. 

Students answered one or more skill testing questions and won some exciting prizes, like Beats headphones.

The contest is now closed. 

Meet the winners