Radon Testing & Mitigation
Radon — the radioactive soil gas — is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in Canada, and the only way to know a building’s level is to measure it. Health Canada’s guideline is 200 Bq/m³; large swaths of the Prairies, interior BC, New Brunswick and pockets of every province routinely test above it. Workplaces are increasingly expected to test under occupational health duties, and daycares in several jurisdictions must.
Testing properly
The standard is a long-term test — 91+ days, heating season ideally — using approved detectors, because radon swings daily and seasonally and short tests mislead in both directions. For transactions that cannot wait, short-term paired tests provide screening, flagged honestly as screening. C-NRPP-certified professionals run measurement to national protocol; DIY kits done correctly are also legitimate, and we help either way.
Mitigation that works
Above-guideline results are fixed reliably: active sub-slab depressurization — a sealed suction point and fan discharging above the roofline or per code — typically cuts levels by 80–90%+ for $2,000–$4,000 in most homes. Certified mitigators verify with post-installation testing. New construction in radon-prone areas already ruggedizes for this under the building code’s radon provisions.
Landlord and employer angles
Tenant-occupied basements are exactly the high-exposure scenario; testing rental units is fast becoming the professional standard, and some jurisdictions are moving toward mandating it. Federal workplaces and provincially regulated employers carry testing expectations under general duty clauses.
How the process works
- Tell us the building type, occupancy and whether a transaction deadline exists.
- Approved long-term detectors are placed (or a certified measurement pro attends).
- The lab result determines whether mitigation is indicated.
- A certified mitigator designs and installs the system.
- Post-mitigation testing verifies the reduction and documents it.
Who regulates this in each province
| Province / Territory | Governing code | Key authority |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Ontario Building Code (O. Reg. 332/12) | the municipal building department |
| Quebec | Quebec Construction Code (Chapter I, Building) | the municipal building department |
| British Columbia | BC Building Code | the municipal building department |
| Alberta | National Building Code (Alberta Edition) | the municipal building department |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Building Code | the municipal building department |
| Saskatchewan | National Building Code as adopted under The Construction Codes Act | the municipal building department |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations | the municipal building department |
| New Brunswick | National Building Code as adopted under the Building Code Administration Act | the municipal building department |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | National Building Code as adopted by municipalities | the municipal building department |
| Prince Edward Island | National Building Code as adopted under the Building Codes Act | the municipal building department |
| Yukon | National Building Code as adopted by Yukon | the municipal building department |
| Northwest Territories | National Building Code as adopted in the NWT | the municipal building department |
| Nunavut | National Building Code as adopted in Nunavut | the municipal building department |
Frequently asked questions
What radon level requires action?
Health Canada recommends remediating above 200 Bq/m³ — within 2 years at 200–600, within 1 year above 600. There is no “safe” floor; many owners mitigate below 200 for occupied basements.
My neighbour tested low — am I fine?
No. Radon varies house to house on the same street depending on soil contact, foundation cracks and pressure dynamics. Only your own test answers it.
Does a radon system hurt resale?
The opposite, increasingly: a documented low result or an installed, verified system is a selling point — the house with the unknown is the risky one.
Do apartments need testing?
Ground-contact and basement units, yes; upper floors test lower but towers with parkades can surprise. Landlords testing proactively hold the strong position with tenants and regulators.
Radon Testing & Mitigation by city
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Learn more →Get a fast, free compliance quote
Tell us what you need for radon testing & mitigation — we reply within one business day with the applicable requirements and a clear price.