Testing for radon is simple to do and should be done in every home, in every community across Canada, regardless of whether your community is known to have high radon levels.
Testing for radon is simple to do and should be done in every home, in every community across Canada, regardless of whether your community is known to have high radon levels.
How to test for Radon?
- Pick a good location for the test.
- Leave the test in place for 91 days or more.
- Return the test to the lab and wait for your radon test report.
- If your radon level is high, take action to reduce it!
When purchasing a radon test kit:
- Make sure it is a long-term test kit (3 + months) that has been approved by C-NRPP*.
- Check to see if the cost of the kit includes shipping back to the lab and lab fees.
- Be sure to follow the instructions carefully, once you receive the kit.
- Order your radon test kit online for convenient delivery to your home from one of these cross-Canada online retailers.
- You can also hire a professional to provide and place the test for you.
Why test for Radon?
- Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer for non-smokers.
- Radon levels can vary widely from one home to another, even on the same street.
- With no smell, no colour and no taste the only way to know how much radon is in your home is to test for it.
- Health Canada stresses the importance of having every homeowner test their home, regardless of whether your community is known to have high radon levels.
You can either test your home yourself (make sure you follow the instructions carefully!) or hire a certified* professional to test your home for you.
The only way to know is to test!
Test your home for radon!
* Approved/certified by the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP), a Canadian radon certification program operated by the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists & Technologists (CARST) with oversight by Health Canada.
Some Quick Facts
The best time to conduct your radon test is during the heating season. Radon levels vary from day to day and from season to season, and the highest radon levels are generally found during the winter when our homes are sealed more tightly than during the summer months.
- During winter indoor air is warmer than the surrounding soil, which tends to pull more radon gas inside.
- During the summer, open windows provide good ventilation and will often reduce the radon levels inside a home.
