Radon

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Radon is a radioactive gas that is colourless, odourless and tasteless. Radon is formed by the breakdown of uranium, a natural radioactive material found in soil, rock and groundwater. When radon is released from the ground into the outdoor air, it gets diluted to low concentrations and is not a concern. However, in enclosed spaces, like basements, it can sometimes accumulate to high levels, which can be a risk to the health of you and your family.

Watch Videos about Radon

• Simple steps for reducing your exposure to radon
•  Radon: Is it in your home?
• Presence of Radon Gas in Your Home

Health effects of Radon

The only known health risk associated with exposure to radon in indoor air is an increased risk of developing lung cancer. The effects of radon are dependant on the levels of radon in the home or building and how long a person is exposed to these levels.

The combined effects of radon exposure and tobacco use significantly increase your risk of lung cancer. It is estimated that a non-smoker exposed to elevated levels of radon over a lifetime has a 1 in 20 chance of developing lung cancer. That estimate increases to a 1 in 3 chance if a smoker is also exposed to elevated levels of radon over a lifetime.

What you can do to protect yourself and your family

Radon can be found, at varying levels, in most homes across Canada.  A large proportion of homes will be below the Government of Canada's guideline level of 200 Bq/m³ but it is impossible to know which homes will have elevated levels. The only way to determine whether your home has a high radon level is to test for it.

What is Health Canada's Role?

Health Canada's Radiation Protection Bureau has a mandate to promote and protect the health of Canadians by assessing and managing the risks posed by radiation exposure in living, working and recreational environments. Through research we assess health risks and impacts of ionizing radiation, such as radon. Health Canada is committed to the development and implementation of an effective radon program designed to reduce lung cancer incidence by increasing public awareness of risk and promoting testing and action to reduce exposure.

As part of the National Radon Program, Health Canada will be conducting a cross Canada residential radon survey in an effort to gain a better understanding of radon concentrations in homes across Canada.

Need more information on radon?

• Contact the Radiation Protection Bureau
• Video: Presence of Radon Gas in your Home