Radiation Safety Institute of Canada

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Home Radon Testing

THE HEATING SEASON IS DRAWING TO A CLOSE
We strongly recommend that you wait until the fall to test your home for radon

Although we do not recommend beginning a long-term test for radon now that winter heating season is ending, for your convenience we would be happy to send you a reminder in late September to order a test kit. Please give us a call at 1-800-263-5803 , option 4, or send an email to radon@radiationsafety.ca to be put on the list.Home Radon Testing

What is Radon?
Radon is an invisible, odourless, naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter buildings through foundation cracks and similar unsealed openings.

The Radiation Safety Institute, Health Canada, the US Environmental Protection Agency and most European countries recommend testing your home for the presence of radon gas.

What are the Risks?
Long-term exposure to high concentrations of radon may lead to lung cancer - particularly if someone in your home is a smoker. In fact, radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

What can you do about it?
Although you can’t see it or smell it, it can be readily detected with a simple test. If high levels of radon are detected in your house, there are steps you can take to remove it. Your first step is to order testing kit from the Radiation Safety Institute.

When is the best time to test?>
The Radiation Safety Institute and Health Canada recommend conducting a long-term test for radon. This test should last 90 days and should ideally be conducted during the heating season (between October and April, depending on the season conditions in your region of Canada).

More Information:

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There has been a lot of news in recent days about the new security measures in airports following the incident onboard Northwest Airlines flight 253. This has led to concerns in the public about potential health effects, but is there any reason to be concerned about radiation exposure?

Protecting your family from radon gas

As Canadians, we all want the cleanest, safest, most secure home environment to live in and raise our families. One way to do this is to monitor our homes for the quality of the air we breathe. Radon gas is not something we hear about every day in Canada however, radon exposure is a leading cause of lung cancer – second only to smoking.

Ontario Lung Association warns of radon risks

As winter weather approaches and we move activities indoors, it’s a good time to think about the quality of the air in our homes. Radon is a colourless, odourless gas that is produced from the natural breakdown of uranium in rocks and soil.

Radiation Safety Institute Promotes Radon Awareness at Fall Home Show

For most of the homeowners and would-be do-it-yourself-ers attending the 2009 Fall Home Show in Toronto, the issue of radon in the home came as something of a revelation.

WHO slashes radon limit in homes, cites lung cancer risks

The World Health Organization (WHO) has drastically cut the maximum amount of radon, a naturally occurring gas, that should be permitted in homes because of strong evidence it causes lung cancer.