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Q: My neighbor tested for radon and the results were low. Do I need to test?

A: yes. Each home will have different levels of radon within it. It is not area dependent. Even homes with shared foundations such as duplexes, should have separate tests completed. If one side of the duplex has been mitigated there is a chance that it will be lowering the levels in your home. But the only way to be sure is to conduct a test.

Health Canada has developed guidelines on how and where to place tests, and C-NRPP has developed a list of devices which meet the set criteria for use.  If you purchase a detector to place yourself, ensure it is on the C-NRPP list – it may have the C-NRPP logo on the device or check our list. 

We are certified with the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP)  to conduct the testing for you.  A C-NRPP Professional will ensure that your tests are placed properly and will provide you with the information in a way that is easy to understand.  The more you understand about Radon exposure the more you can ensure you and your home’s safety for the future.

There are two kinds of tests we use.

Long-Term Radon Test – is a radon test which is of duration of 90 days or longer

• Typical devices for Long Term Radon Test are alpha track and electret ion.

• Health Canada recommends that no mitigation decision be made without a long term test. In the USA short term testing is the standard that mitigation decisions are based on. 

Short-Term Radon Test –is a radon test which is of duration of at least 48 hours but less than 3 months

When should I mitigate?

Current Health Canada guidelines suggest mitigation action for homes determined as over 200 Bq/m3 within 2 years. For homes determined as in excess of 600 Bq/m3 that timeline increases to 1 year. 

The world health organization guidelines suggest mitigation for homes determined as over 100 Bq/m3 within 2 years. And should be noted that levels as low as 70 Bq/m3 contain risk.