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Healthy Environment
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Healthy Environments

Radon

Radon is an invisible, colourless, tasteless, and radioactive gas that is naturally present in our environment. Radon gas is produced by the natural decay of uranium in the soil and rock. Radon gas can travel into homes undetected through cracks in the foundation or floors, gaps around pipes or cables, sumps or drains. Exposure to radon increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Level of risk depends on the amount of radon present, the length of time you are exposed, and whether or not you smoke. Smoking combined with exposure to radon significantly increases your risk of lung cancer. The only way to know if radon is present in your home is to test for it. Every home should be tested for Radon. It doesn't matter where you're located, if your home is new or old, small or large. Testing your home for radon is easy to do and can save lives.

You can be exposed to radon gas when it enters your home through any opening that contacts the soil, such as cracks, in foundation walls, or sump pump drains. Lower levels of your home (e.g. basements) are at greater risk of increased radon levels. Your risk of exposure is significantly reduced in the outdoor environment because radon disperses in the air.

Radon is a radioactive gas that can pose a risk to your health when it accumulates in your home. Long-term exposure to radon gas can increase your risk of lung cancer. Checking to see if you have radon in your home is simple. You can test your home with a do-it-yourself kit (refer to Take Action on Radon for Health Canada approved tests) or by contacting a certified radon professional. The Canadian guideline for radon is 200 becquerels per cubic meter. When levels exceed this guideline, action is recommended. A long-term test is recommended and the best time of year to conduct radon testing is from fall to spring.

If the radon levels in your home are found to be above the Canadian guideline of 200 Bg/m3, there are ways to fix the problem. If you detect higher levels of radon in your home, contact a certified radon professional to help you reduce the radon levels in your home.

The discovery of radon is a warrantable defect under the Ontario New Home Warranty and Protection Plan. The Tarion Home Warranty covers the cost of radon mitigation in new homes in Ontario that are 7 years old or less.

Have an older home? Home radon mitigation support is available.
Smoking, combined with radon exposure, significantly increases your risk of developing lung cancer. Quitting smoking is an important way to reduce your risk. Thinking about quitting, but not sure how? Need some help but don't know where to go? Visit Smokers' Helpline or our Thinking About Quitting page that offers a list of supports and resources to help you successfully quit smoking.
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