Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium in rocks and soil. It’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless — completely invisible without specialized testing equipment.
Why Radon Is Dangerous
As uranium in the earth decays, it produces radium, which in turn decays into radon gas. Radon seeps up through the ground and can accumulate inside homes through:
- Cracks in foundation walls and floors
- Floor-wall joints
- Sump pits and floor drains
- Service pipe penetrations
- Construction joints
Once inside, radon continues to decay into radioactive particles called “radon progeny.” When you breathe these particles in, they can become lodged in your lungs and emit radiation that damages lung tissue — leading to lung cancer over time.
Radon Is the #2 Cause of Lung Cancer in Canada
After cigarette smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada. The Canadian Cancer Society estimates radon is responsible for approximately 3,200 lung cancer deaths per year in Canada. The risk is 25 times higher for smokers exposed to elevated radon.
Health Canada’s Action Level
Health Canada recommends taking action if your home’s radon level exceeds 200 Bq/m³ (becquerels per cubic meter). For context:
- Outdoor air typically contains 10–30 Bq/m³
- Health Canada’s action level: 200 Bq/m³
- WHO recommended level: 100 Bq/m³
Modern mitigation systems routinely reduce levels to under 30 Bq/m³.
Radon in British Columbia
BC has areas of elevated radon risk, particularly in the Interior and parts of the Fraser Valley. Studies show that a significant portion of BC homes exceed Health Canada’s guideline. The BC Lung Foundation runs programs to increase awareness and access to testing.
How to Test for Radon
There are two types of radon tests:
- Short-term tests (96 hours minimum) — Used for real estate transactions and quick screening. Less accurate than long-term.
- Long-term tests (91 days minimum) — The gold standard. A 3-month alpha-track test gives the most accurate picture of your annual radon exposure.
Health Canada recommends testing during the heating season (October–April) when homes are sealed up and radon concentrations are highest.
What Happens If Levels Are High?
If your radon levels exceed 200 Bq/m³, a professional mitigation system should be installed. The most common and effective method is sub-slab depressurization — a pipe and fan system that draws radon from beneath the slab and vents it safely outside.
Mitigation typically costs $2,500–$3,800 in the Fraser Valley and can be completed in a single day. The result is a home with radon levels reduced by 80–95%.
Contact BC Radon Control for a free quote on testing or mitigation.
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