What is Radon?
Radon is an invisible health hazard that could be accumulating in your home right now — without your knowledge. If you’re a homeowner in Chestermere, understanding what radon gas is and how it ends up indoors is your first step toward protecting your family’s health. This naturally occurring radioactive gas is found in surprising concentrations throughout Alberta, including many homes in the greater Calgary area.
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How radon forms naturally in soil and rock
Radon is created when uranium — commonly found in bedrock and soil — breaks down over time. This decay process releases radioactive particles, including radon gas. Because it forms underground, it rises upward through the soil, often building up under structures like homes, schools, and office buildings.
How it enters a home through foundations
In Chestermere and surrounding Calgary areas, most homes are built on foundations with basements or crawl spaces. Radon seeps in through even the smallest openings, such as:
- Cracks in basement floors and walls
- Gaps around pipes and utility lines
- Unsealed sump pump pits or weeping tile systems
- Poorly ventilated crawl spaces or floor drains
It doesn’t take a visible gap for radon to enter — even air pressure differences can pull it inside.
What radon gas looks and smells like (or doesn’t)
One of the most dangerous things about radon is that it provides no warning signs. It’s completely invisible, odourless, and tasteless. There are no acute symptoms, which means most people have no idea they’ve been exposed until significant health effects develop decades later.
You won’t know your home has a radon problem unless you test. That’s why Health Canada and C-NRPP recommend long-term radon testing in all residential homes — especially in known high-radon areas like Chestermere.
Knowledge is protection. Understanding radon’s origin helps you take informed steps to safeguard your indoor air.
Health Risks of Radon Exposure
Visualizing how radon gas can affect indoor air quality in Chestermere homes.
Don't leave your family's health to chance. A professional home radon test in Calgary takes the guesswork out of indoor air quality. Calgary Radon Detection uses Health Canada-approved methods to deliver results you can act on. Schedule your test now.
Breathing radon gas daily without knowing it puts your long-term health in serious jeopardy — especially in Chestermere homes where levels often exceed Health Canada’s safe limit of 200 Bq/m³. Whether you’re raising young children or managing multiple rental properties, understanding the full scope of health effects is essential to protecting everyone inside.
Radon as the second-leading cause of lung cancer
Health Canada identifies radon as the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Only smoking ranks higher in total cases. Thousands of Canadians each year develop lung cancer due to prolonged radon exposure — often after living for years in high-radon homes without realizing the danger.
Who is most at-risk: families, smokers, children
Radon inhalation affects everyone, but the risk increases significantly for smokers and those with respiratory sensitivities. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their faster breathing rates and developing lungs.
“I had no symptoms. If we didn’t test, we never would’ve known.” – Karen B., Chestermere homeowner
If you’ve never tested for radon or you manage older rental properties, you’re carrying an invisible risk that could easily be reduced through proper testing and, if needed, mitigation.
What long-term exposure means for your health
Unlike other indoor pollutants, radon exposure accumulates quietly over years. Prolonged exposure to even moderate levels (above 200 Bq/m³) substantially increases your risk of developing lung cancer later in life. The good news? It’s 100% preventable with accurate testing and cost-effective mitigation systems.
Protecting your loved ones starts with awareness — and acting on it through professional radon testing.
Why Radon Testing Matters in Chestermere
Localized radon risk levels in Chestermere and Calgary, AB help guide safe radon testing decisions.
If you live in Chestermere, you’re in one of Alberta’s highest-priority regions for radon testing. Thanks to geological conditions and building practices common across the Calgary area, radon can easily build up indoors — even in newer homes or those with energy-efficient insulation.
Local Radon Levels and Geological Factors
Chestermere sits atop soil formations rich in uranium-bearing minerals. These break down beneath the surface, releasing radon gas that naturally rises into homes. Specific risk factors include dense clay soil, frost-protected foundations, and energy-efficient construction that seals ventilation points — all of which are common in newer Chestermere subdivisions.
Alberta’s designation as a high-radon province
Alberta has some of the highest indoor radon levels in the country. Health Canada’s mapping initiative has classified the entire Calgary region — including Chestermere — as “Zone 1” for radon exposure risk. In fact, long-term testing shows over 1 in 6 homes in this area exceed national safety guidelines.
Many Chestermere homes tested above the safe limit of 200 Bq/m³. That’s not hypothetical — it’s a measured local reality our testers see every week.
Calgary-region mapping and results from nearby homes
Our data from nearby homes in Chestermere, Langdon, and the SE Calgary pocket consistently shows elevated radon levels. While no two homes are alike, proximity to other high readings is a strong indicator your home should be tested.
For visual confirmation, Calgary Radon Detection uses localized mapping tools to show how your neighborhood compares with surrounding areas. Many families discover their home scores in the 300–1000 Bq/m³ range — well above Health Canada guidelines.
Living in Chestermere means understanding your local radon risks — and taking the small step to test.
How Radon Testing Works
Understanding radon testing gives you the power to protect your home and family from this invisible radioactive threat. Chestermere homes—especially those with basements and high insulation—are particularly vulnerable to elevated radon levels. Learning how tests are performed and what results actually mean is a vital part of safeguarding indoor air quality and your long-term health.
We use accurate and certified methods recognized across Canada. Calgary Radon Detection’s technicians are C-NRPP certified to ensure your results are actionable and trustworthy. Our team uses Health Canada-approved equipment and best practices tailored for the geology around Chestermere.
Types of Radon Tests (alpha track detectors, CRMs)
There are two core devices for detecting radon in air:
- Alpha Track Detectors: These passive devices collect radon particles on a film over 90+ days, offering the most accurate long-term exposure average.
- Continuous Radon Monitors (CRMs): Electronic devices that provide real-time hourly readings over short periods, useful for fast diagnostics or follow-up tests.
“We use C-NRPP recognized equipment for the most exact data possible.” – Graham Drew
Short-Term vs Long-Term Testing Debate
While short-term testing can offer quick insight, Health Canada strongly recommends a minimum 90-day test period to get reliable averages that account for daily fluctuations. Long-term results are less impacted by things like open windows, HVAC cycles, or weather conditions. That’s why we always offer alpha track detectors first for conclusive data.
Reading and Interpreting Your Test Results
Radon is measured in becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m³). The Canadian guideline for acceptable indoor radon levels is 200 Bq/m³. If your long-term testing comes back above this threshold, mitigation is highly recommended.
Results below 100 Bq/m³ are considered low risk. If your home tests between 100 and 200 Bq/m³, it’s wise to consider mitigation options, especially in lower levels where people spend considerable time. Don’t panic—high levels are fixable with the right approach.
Worried about radon? We’re offering no-cost testing for homes in Calgary and surrounding areas. Protect your health — book your free radon test today!
Mitigation Options if Radon is High
If radon test results show readings above 200 Bq/m³, don’t worry — effective mitigation options exist, and they’re easier to install than you might think. At Calgary Radon Detection, we implement reliable systems that drastically lower indoor radon, meeting Health Canada’s safety standards right here in Chestermere homes.
Sub-Slab Depressurization Systems
This is the gold standard in radon mitigation. A fan-powered pipe system is installed below your basement slab to draw radon gas out from the soil before it can seep inside. The radon is then safely vented outside above your roofline.
“Once we installed mitigation, radon dropped over 90% and we felt safe again.” – Liam D., Chestermere homeowner
Our most effective solution is a sub-slab depressurization system — safely venting radon out from below your home to secure clean indoor air.
Sealing and Foundation Improvements
Cracks in your slab or foundation edges act as radon entry points. While not a full solution alone, sealing these gaps reduces the amount of radon entering your home and improves the efficiency of other mitigation systems.
Ventilation Upgrades and Follow-Ups
Boosting ventilation, especially in basements or crawlspaces, can help dilute radon concentrations. Solutions may include HRV systems, custom ducting, or exhaust fans. We also perform follow-up testing to verify that your levels remain safely stabilized after mitigation.
Worried about radon? We’re offering no-cost testing for homes in Calgary and surrounding areas. Protect your health — book your free radon test today!
FAQs About Radon in Chestermere
Still have questions about radon in your Chestermere home? You’re not alone. Local property managers and homeowners alike are becoming more aware of radon exposure, and these questions often come up. Here’s what you should know if you’re taking steps to protect your family or preparing your property for the market.
When is the best time to test?
While you can begin radon testing at any time of year, winter is ideal. During colder months, homes are tightly sealed, which is when radon concentrations tend to rise—making results more reliable. Start your 90+ day test in fall or winter for the clearest picture.
Winter is ideal for testing because homes are more sealed — giving a truer picture of radon levels.
Is radon higher in Chestermere basements?
Yes. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that enters from the soil beneath your home. Basements and ground-level rooms often show higher concentrations because they are closest to these entry points and have less ventilation. That’s why testing near frequent-use basement areas is always recommended.
Homes with basements tend to show higher levels — radon originates in the soil below.
Can I still sell my house if it has radon?
Yes, you absolutely can. Disclosing radon levels is increasingly common in real estate transactions. If high levels are found, we recommend installing mitigation systems before listing. In fact, homes with documented mitigation often sell faster and at a higher value by giving buyers peace of mind.
Yes, but mitigation is highly recommended and may even increase resale value with documentation.
Worried about radon? We’re offering no-cost testing for homes in Calgary and surrounding areas. Protect your health — book your free radon test today!
