Millions of homes in Canada have high levels of cancer-causing radon. Is yours one of them?

You can’t see or smell radon, the cancer-causing gas lurking inside millions of Canadian homes.

Nearly one in five residential buildings in Canada have high radon levels — a figure that has more than doubled since the late 2000s — while radon-induced lung cancer causes an estimated 3,200 deaths each year, federal figures show.

This radioactive gas comes out of the ground and flows into buildings across the country, but scientists say modern design and renovation likely play a role More Canadians are being exposed in their own homes.

“We are very good at keeping air inside our homes because we want to keep heat in… especially in such a cold climate that we live in,” said Paweł Makarski, head of radon technical operations at Health Canada.

“Many times when we’re doing renovations and retrofits, we’re usually trying to make the building more airtight, without incorporating any other type of ventilation.”

There is hope that change can happen. The long awaited update of the National Building Code, Just released in late DecemberNewly constructed homes are required to include a passive radon stack, which acts like a chimney to help reduce indoor radon buildup.

Although that code sets guidelines for construction projects throughout the country, it still needs to be adopted by provinces and territories.

“We hope to see these systems introduced into future homes in Canada,” Makerski said.

But what about existing homes that are at risk for high levels of radon? And how do you know if your own home is a danger zone?

How to test radon in your home

Experts say the only way to know if your home has high levels of radon is to test it.

The process is simple: you can either Hire a Radon Measurement Professional or Buy Your Own Testing Kit. (Some communities offer free radon monitors through libraries or local public health units. You can get more information through the federal take action on radon Program.)

Health Canada recommends Test your home for at least 91 days, and ideally over a period of three to 12 months, to get the most accurate results. It is also important to test during the colder months when windows and doors are likely to be closed, trapping more radon in your home.

Installing a Radon Mitigation System

The current national guideline for indoor radon levels is 200 becquerel – the standard unit of radioactivity, which refers to the rate of nuclear decay – per meter cubed (Bq/m).3).

If your home’s readings reach that limit, the Take Action on Radon program offers a Searchable List of Certified Radon Professionals Who can install the mitigation system? These usually involve a pipe running from the foundation floor to the ceiling, with a small fan attached to draw the radon out before it enters the home. Installation usually takes a day or less.

Hunt? In most areas, the cost of all that work falls on homeowners, amid a patchwork system of charity and government-based funding options.

Ontario covers radon mitigation work Through your home warranty programWith coverage lasting for seven years after the home is built. In Manitoba, there is a unique financing program that allows families to Spread radon mitigation costs on their hydro bills.

For those who pay out of pocket, the cost of a mitigation system can range from $2,000 to $5,000, and sometimes even more, depending on the size, structure and location of the home.

‘Cost is a significant barrier’

Sarah Batson, CEO of the Canadian Lung Association, says the cost of mitigation work is simply unaffordable for many Canadians.

“We know that cost is a significant barrier to people actually taking action on radon,” he said. “This can be a hindrance to testing in the first place, because if you know you can’t really nail down the other side of it, why test at all?”

The nonprofit cancer advocacy group offers the only Cross-Canada Grant Program To help offset mitigation costs for low- and moderate-income families. Last year, it provided nearly $150,000 in funding to nearly a hundred families across the country. Butson said it’s just a drop in the bucket.

“The reality is that programs like ours are at capacity, and so we really need more support to be able to fill that gap even more,” he said.

Radon mitigation is ‘vital’ to protect families

Others say the cost of radon mitigation for homeowners is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

BC Cancer oncologist Dr. Kong Khoo was diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer during a routine medical exam in March 2020.

“When I heard the pathology report my first thought was: It must be radon,” he told CBC News.

After his diagnosis, Khoo installed a radon monitor in his Kelowna home. Within a few days, they saw levels skyrocketing to 400 to 600 Bq/m3 – Double, even triple, Health Canada limits.

Khoo’s cancer was caught early enough for successful treatment, and he believes it first developed due to prolonged exposure to high levels of radon in his home.

Along with treating his cancer, he also treated his home by installing a mitigation system.

“I think the cost of measuring radon is very low relative to the scope of the problem,” he said. “It is important for every homeowner to do this to protect themselves and their family, as there is no other way to find out if you are at risk.”

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