As radon breaks down it forms radioactive particles that can get lodged into your lung tissue as you breathe. The radon particles release energy that can damage the cells in your lungs. When the cells in your lungs are damaged, there is the possibility of developing lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and Canada is a hot spot for this radioactive gas.

Most of the time the air pressure inside your home is lower than the pressure in the soil surrounding your home's foundation. This difference in pressure can draw air and other gases in the soil, including radon, into the house. Radon gas can enter your home at any opening where the house contacts the soil. These openings can be present any home, new or old.

Health Canada Radon Guidelines and the latest research recommends that in order for test results to be both accurate and reliable, it is important to use a certified long-term (minimum of 3 month) radon test kit. Some retailers sell short-term radon test kits that are not supported by evidence-based best practices and guidelines.

There is no completely safe level of radon. Home owners are encouraged to reduce radon levels to be as low as reasonably possible. The Canadian guideline for radon in indoor air is 200 Bq/m³ (becquerels per cubic metre).

Techniques to lower radon levels are effective and can save lives. Radon levels in most homes can be reduced by more than 80% for about the same cost as other common home repairs such as replacing the furnace or air conditioner.

What can I do if I have high levels of radon in my home?

The best way to lower radon levels is with a certified radon mitigation (reduction) professional who is certified with the Canadian - National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP). They are trained to properly assess your home and design systems that efficiently and effectively reduce your radon level.

A radon mitigation system is installed so a fan draws air (and radon) up from beneath the foundation to the outdoors. This way it does not enter the home.

Often, the work involved to reduce radon levels can be done in one day comparable to a new furnace.

Depending on the year of construction of a home, building codes require installation of a radon stub pipe through the foundation of the house. This is not a mitigation system, but simply a rough in. It will NOT reduce radon levels without an installed system.

Learn more about reducing radon from Health Canada's Radon Reduction Guide: www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/reports-publications/radiation/radon-reduction-guide-canadians-health-canada-2013.html.

Find a C-NRPP Certified Radon Reduction Mitigation Professional near you at www.c-nrpp.ca.

Other Financial Supports Across Canada

• City of Vaudreille-Dorion: Provides $500 grant for residents through their environmental grant program. www.ville.vaudreuil-dorion.qc.ca/en/environment/environmental-initiatives/environmental-grants.
• City of Victoriaville: Provides $150 grant for residents through their Habitation Durable program. www.victoriaville.ca/page/1363/programme-victoriaville-habitation-durable.aspx.
• Tarion Home Warranty in Ontario: Covers the cost of radon mitigation in new homes in Ontario that are seven years old or less. www.tarion.com/homeowners/your-warranty-coverage/radon-and-your-warranty.
• The Lung Association, Manitoba: Provides $1,500 grant for Manitoba homeowners who are low income or who have lung cancer. mb.lung.ca/radon/lungs-matter---radon-mitigation-community-grant-program.html.
• Manitoba Hydro: Provides a loan for radon mitigation; Manitoba homeowners can pay off the loan on their hydro bill. www.hydro.mb.ca/your_home/loans_financing/energy_finance_plan/.
• The Canadian Lung Association: Provides up to $1,500 grant for Canadians who are low income or who have lung cancer. www.lung.ca/lungs-matter-radon-mitigation-support.
• Lung Sask’s Caring Breaths Financial Assistance Program: May provide up to $500 reimbursement to Saskatchewan residents for radon mitigation. If an application meets the program’s criteria for potential funding, the amount an applicant is reimbursed is based on need and funds available. www.lungsask.ca/lungs/programs-support/caring-breaths-financial-assistance-program.

Radon levels can vary between neighbouring homes. The only way to know how much radon is in a home is to test for it.