What is Radon?
Whether you’re a homeowner in Calgary or managing multiple properties across the city, understanding radon gas is essential for ensuring indoor air safety. Radon is a serious, largely invisible threat that many Canadians overlook until it’s too late. If you’re wondering why local radon awareness matters, it starts with knowing exactly what this gas is and where it comes from.
Concerned about indoor air quality? Protect your family with certified Radon Testing in Calgary and proven Radon Mitigation solutions from Calgary Radon Detection. Our experts deliver fast, accurate results and long-term safety for your home. Contact us today for peace of mind.
How radon forms and where it comes from
Radon is a radioactive gas naturally produced by the decay of uranium found in rocks, soil, and water—abundant components in Alberta’s geology. As uranium slowly breaks down over time, it releases radon, which seeps up toward the surface. Though radon itself is invisible, odourless, and tasteless, its presence is detectable through specialized testing instruments. In areas like Calgary, with high natural uranium concentrations in the ground, understanding its source is the first line of defence.
How radon enters homes
Radon rises through cracks in foundations, sump pump openings, unfinished floors, gaps around pipes, and even through porous concrete. In Calgary homes—many of which have basements or slab-on-grade constructions—this gas collects in lower levels, where ventilation is often poor. Without mitigation, indoor concentrations can build up over time, especially during colder months when windows remain shut, trapping radon indoors.
Why it’s an invisible health risk
Because radon has no smell, taste, or colour, it cannot be discovered without a proper test. Its radioactivity is what makes it harmful. When inhaled, radon decay particles embed themselves in the lungs, damaging cell DNA and increasing the likelihood of cancer over time. As Health Canada states, there’s no known safe level of exposure—which is why it’s crucial to test and mitigate if levels exceed recommended limits.
Proactive awareness about this radioactive gas empowers you to protect your home and family—starting with knowledge, confirmed by reliable testing.
Why Radon is a Concern in Calgary
If you live in Calgary, you could unknowingly be at higher risk for radon exposure than residents in other parts of Canada. With its unique geological composition and rising concern in national health studies, Calgary has been spotlighted as a radon ‘hot zone.’ Understanding regional risks helps residents take action in time—especially when indoor health is on the line.
Calgary’s unique geological features
Calgary sits atop soil with higher-than-average uranium content, a natural contributor to elevated radon production. Add to this the clay-heavy subsoils and the frequency of finished basements in local home designs, and you get an environment primed for radon accumulation. Homes built air-tight for energy efficiency further trap radon once it enters the structure.
Recent studies on regional radon levels
The Evict Radon national project—led by Canadian scientists—has identified Calgary as one of the cities with some of the highest indoor radon levels in the country. Data shows that radon levels in Calgary homes often far exceed the Health Canada threshold of 200 Bq/m³. According to their findings, over 1 in 6 Calgary homes fail to meet the national radon safety standard, putting thousands at risk.
Neighbourhoods with higher concentrations
While radon levels can vary on a house-by-house basis, certain Calgary neighbourhoods consistently test above the recommended limits. Communities near river valleys or those with deeper foundations—such as Tuscany, Arbour Lake, and Cranston—tend to report higher concentrations. However, no area is exempt. Every home, even those built recently, may be susceptible due to geological and structural factors.
Knowing the local threat profile allows Calgary homeowners to act now—an investment in safety that pays back in peace of mind.
Health Risks Associated with Radon Exposure
Link between radon and lung cancer
Health Canada identifies radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer, surpassed only by smoking. The Canadian Cancer Society reports that radon exposure accounts for over 3,000 lung cancer deaths annually—and these aren’t limited to smokers. Long-term inhalation of radioactive radon particles leads to mutations in lung cell DNA. What makes this even more dangerous is the latency period: symptoms may not arise until decades after exposure begins.
Children and elderly as high-risk groups
Children are especially vulnerable due to their developing respiratory systems and faster breathing rates, which increase radon absorption. The elderly, along with people who spend prolonged hours indoors, are also at heightened risk. For families in Calgary, ensuring clean indoor air becomes a proactive measure in protecting those who may not yet articulate their symptoms.
Exposure symptoms and Health Canada research
Unlike carbon monoxide, radon does not produce immediate symptoms. There’s no headache or dizziness to serve as a warning sign. That’s why Health Canada strongly recommends long-term testing. Scientific studies show that cumulative exposure—even at moderate levels—can significantly raise lung cancer risk over time. The absence of early indicators makes prevention through awareness even more critical.
Prioritizing radon awareness today helps ensure a healthier future for your family—especially the youngest members of your household.
How to Test for Radon in Your Home
Short-term vs long-term testing
Radon testing falls into two primary categories: short-term and long-term. Short-term tests typically run for 2–7 days and may provide a quick snapshot, but they are sensitive to environmental variables such as weather, windows, or HVAC usage. Long-term tests, on the other hand, run for at least 91 days and offer more accurate, seasonally balanced readings.
Health Canada recommends conducting long-term radon testing between October and April, when homes remain closed and indoor air exchange is minimal, producing the most consistent results for Calgary residences.
Using radon testing kits accurately
Homeowners can purchase do-it-yourself radon test kits that are approved by the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP). These kits are easy to use, provided you follow the instructions precisely:
- Place the kit on the lowest lived-in level of your home (such as the basement or main floor).
- Keep it away from windows, vents, direct sunlight, and high-humidity areas like kitchens or bathrooms.
- Leave the device undisturbed for the testing period, seal it, and return it to the lab for analysis.
Understanding how to properly place the device within a Calgary setting—like positioning it centrally in a family room or office used several hours a day—makes a significant difference in accuracy.
Hiring a certified measurement professional
For those seeking professional assurance, hiring a C-NRPP certified radon measurement specialist ensures accuracy and interpretation of results. Certified professionals use calibrated electronic monitors for faster turnaround and detailed reporting. Calgary Radon Detection’s inspectors are fully certified and experienced with a wide range of home types— from inner-city infills to rural estates.
Getting expert support can also make sense for property managers managing multiple units or homes with known radon entry points, like sump pits or foundation cracks.
Need reliable radon testing in Calgary?
Book your certified inspection with Calgary Radon Detection today.
Recommended Radon Mitigation Techniques
Discovering elevated radon in your home isn’t the end—it’s your path to cleaner air. For Calgary homeowners and property managers, there are proven mitigation strategies to significantly lower indoor radon levels. These techniques are more than just code—in many cases, they can reduce exposure by over 90%, ensuring your space aligns with Canadian safety guidelines.
Active Soil Depressurization (ASD)
Active Soil Depressurization is the most effective and widely recommended radon mitigation method. This system involves installing a PVC pipe network under your home’s foundation slab alongside a depressurization fan that continuously pulls radon-filled air from beneath the home and safely vents it outside above the roofline. Whether retrofitted or installed via pre-plumbed radon rough-ins, ASD can drastically reduce airborne radon levels.
A properly installed ASD system can reduce radon levels by over 90%—and Calgary homes with high readings often see results in as little as 24 hours after system activation.
Sealing foundation cracks and air leaks
Although not sufficient on its own, sealing cracks and gaps in a home’s foundation, basement floor, and even plumbing fixtures can enhance the performance of other mitigation systems. By minimizing the number of radon entry points, you reduce the overall infiltration and make ASD-style techniques even more effective. Newer homes—even those with radon-resistant features—should not rely solely on passive sealing.
Even newer homes with rough-ins should check for high radon levels year-round to ensure that protective measures are working as intended.
Whole-home ventilation strategies
Improved mechanical ventilation—such as HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilation) systems—can enhance air circulation and dilute radon levels. While not typically a sole solution for high concentrations, these systems complement primary mitigation methods and improve indoor air overall, especially in tightly sealed modern Calgary homes where airflow is limited.
Blending ventilation strategies with targeted mitigation creates a layered protection plan that works across seasons and occupancy patterns.
Ask us how custom radon mitigation systems can improve your home’s air quality and health.
Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities in Alberta
If you’re renting out a property or living in one, understanding radon responsibilities under Alberta law is critical. While current regulations may not yet mandate disclosure, Health Canada strongly advises landlords to test properties and share results with tenants. For Calgary’s high-risk areas, this proactive approach protects both occupant safety and landlord liability under the Residential Tenancies Act.
Current requirements under Alberta tenancy laws
As of now, the Alberta Residential Tenancies Act does not explicitly require mandatory radon testing or mitigation. However, landlords do have a general duty to provide safe living conditions, which includes addressing known environmental health risks like radon gas. Industry observers suggest that more explicit radon legislation may be introduced in the coming years, especially in high-risk zones like Calgary.
Whether landlords must disclose radon
Though not currently law, Health Canada recommends disclosure of radon readings in rental agreements. Doing so demonstrates good faith and a commitment to inhabitant safety. Calgary property managers can go a step further by including provisions for regular testing or system maintenance when mitigation is in place.
Failure to disclose could lead to reputational loss or disputes if tenants later uncover high readings, especially in multi-unit developments where risk is not confined to a single home.
How tenants can advocate and request testing
Tenants concerned about radon can and should request testing results from their landlords. If none are available, they may consider providing their own C-NRPP-approved test kit results to advocate for action. Alberta’s landlord-tenant board advises open communication and documentation whenever health or safety concerns arise. In a city like Calgary—where radon can vary from one block to the next—such dialogue is crucial for peace of mind.
Property managers are encouraged to pro-actively test and mitigate to protect occupant health and limit liability, especially in seasonal leases or high-turnover units.
Property managers: Ensure your buildings meet modern radon safety standards. Calgary Radon Detection can help.
Conclusion: Taking Action Against Radon in Calgary
Radon doesn’t announce its presence—but your response to it can define the health and safety of your home or rental property. Whether your Calgary home is older or brand new, elevated radon levels can occur unnoticed. The good news? Identifying it through proper testing and resolving it with focused mitigation means you’re in full control of your indoor air safety.
Why testing and mitigation should be a priority
There is no safe level of radon—only acceptable limits. Health Canada considers concentrations above 200 Bq/m³ as requiring action, and Calgary homes often exceed this level, especially during winter. Delaying testing increases prolonged exposure risks, including long-term respiratory problems and elevated lung cancer risk.
By prioritizing radon awareness now, homeowners can prevent major safety and financial concerns later.
Support options and financial incentives
Health Canada’s Take Action on Radon initiative offers community-level support and financial rebates for mitigation work. While not all projects qualify for funding, homeowners are encouraged to explore options through trusted professionals like Calgary Radon Detection. Cost-sharing or rebates could significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses, especially in eligible Calgary neighborhoods.
How Calgary Radon Detection can help you
With local expertise and C-NRPP certified staff, Calgary Radon Detection provides end-to-end services from testing to custom mitigation system design. Our team works with both homeowners and multi-residential property managers to deliver safe, permanent results that comply with Health Canada guidelines.
Whether you’re dealing with test kits, active ventilation decisions, or property disclosures—we’ve helped hundreds of Calgary families breathe easier, and we can help yours too.
Protect your family today—book professional radon testing or mitigation with Calgary Radon Detection.
