Radon
Radon is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless radioactive gas. It is produced naturally in the environment when uranium in rock and soil breaks down. There is some level of radon in all homes and buildings.
Radon gas can travel into homes undetected through cracks in the foundation or floors, and gaps around pipes, cables, or sump pumps, and drains.
Radon levels are usually higher in basements, however high radon concentrations can also be found above the ground floor.
Radon in outdoor air is not a concern as concentrations dilute quickly in the open air.
Learn more about radon from Health Canada.
Health risks from radon
Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
Long-term exposure to high radon levels is a concern because it can increase your risk of lung cancer. This risk increases if you are a smoker.
Canadian Cancer Society: Radon
Testing your home
The only way to know how much radon is in your home is to test for it.
Health Canada encourages every homeowner to test their home, regardless of whether your community is known to have high radon levels.
Testing should be done between September and April when windows and doors are typically kept closed. The test should be placed in the lowest lived-in area of your home.
Find out where you can purchase a test kit or hire a professional.
Caledon Public Library offers free loan-able radon test kits to Caledon residents.
Reducing levels in your home
If your radon test result is higher than the Canadian guideline of 200 Bq/m3 you should hire a certified radon professional to determine the best and most cost-effective way to reduce the radon level in your home.
Health Canada recommends that homes with radon levels:
- between 200 and 600 Bq/m3 be fixed within 2 years
- above 600 Bq/m3 be fixed within 1 year
Find a radon mitigation professional.
Peel Region does not endorse any specific test kits or mitigation professionals.
Financial help with mitigation costs
If your home needs radon mitigation, there are programs available to help: