What Is Radon and Why It Matters in Workplaces
If you manage a Calgary office, retail unit, or commercial space, understanding radon gas exposure isn’t optional—it’s essential. Radon is a colourless, odorless radioactive gas that forms underground and can accumulate undetected in your workplace. Without regular testing and mitigation, your commercial property may be exposing employees to serious long-term health risks. Health Canada identifies radon as the #1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, making indoor air quality not just a regulatory issue but a moral imperative for business owners and facility managers across Calgary.
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How radon forms and enters buildings
Radon gas originates naturally from the decay of uranium in soil and rock beneath our feet. In Calgary, with its diverse geologic makeup and seasonal freezing cycles, this radioactive gas can seep through foundation cracks, sump pits, floor drains, and utility penetrations—anywhere the building envelope meets the ground. Mechanical ventilation systems can further impact how radon moves and accumulates indoors.
Why radon levels can build up indoors
Unlike many airborne pollutants that are introduced externally, radon is generated from the ground up, making basements and underground levels especially vulnerable. Calgary’s cold winters often lead to tightly sealed buildings to conserve heat, reducing fresh air exchange and inadvertently allowing radon gas concentrations to rise significantly. Modern HVAC systems that recirculate indoor air without introducing sufficient ventilation can exacerbate this problem across occupied spaces.
The role of indoor air quality in occupational health
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a core component of occupational health and safety. According to the CSA radon standard for the workplace (CSA Z204), employers have a responsibility to monitor and manage radon exposure to protect employees. Addressing workplace radon detection is not only a duty of care but essential for indoor environmental compliance in Calgary’s growing commercial sector.
Radon is an invisible gas from uranium decay. Without testing, hazardous levels often go undetected in Calgary workplaces.
Don’t guess—test your worksite today to identify potential exposure risks. Prevention starts with awareness and ends with action.
The Health Risks of Radon Exposure at Work
Does your Calgary workplace offer a healthy breathing environment? Radon is a silent threat, and many employers underestimate or overlook its long-term impact on workers. Yet, according to decades of Canadian and international research, chronic exposure at even “moderate” levels increases lung cancer risk exponentially. Being proactive about employee radon safety isn’t optional—it’s your legal and ethical obligation under CSA and Health Canada guidelines.
Chronic exposure and cancer risk
Occupational radon exposure doesn’t cause immediate symptoms, which is what makes it so dangerous. Over time, radioactive radon decay particles can damage lung tissue when inhaled, leading to mutations and increased cancer risk. Studies show that exposure to radon levels as low as 200 Bq/m³ over many years can significantly raise lung cancer incidence among non-smokers. At 800 Bq/m³, the risk is equivalent to smoking a half pack of cigarettes per day.
Who is most vulnerable
Employees who spend long hours in semi-basements, underground levels, or poorly ventilated zones—such as file storage rooms or mechanical pits—are at higher risk. Those with pre-existing respiratory conditions or prior smoking history are especially vulnerable to radon’s harmful effects, even at lower exposure thresholds. Protecting these individuals requires a customized ventilation approach and routine testing.
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers—and Calgary is in a high-risk zone. Start with a Calgary radon test to know your levels, then trust our experts for radon remediation in Calgary if needed. One call protects your home.
Compounding risks in poorly ventilated buildings
Many Calgary commercial properties are designed for energy-efficiency, but in winter months, this can lead to air stagnation and reduced fresh air turnover. Radon levels build quietly, often peaking overnight or during off-peak hours when HVAC systems run minimally. Without automated monitoring or C-NRPP certified inspections, employers might never realize the frequency or severity of these fluctuations.
Long-term radon exposure can significantly increase your employees’ risk of lung cancer—even at moderate levels.
It’s time to make radon part of your workplace safety checklist—ensuring your employees breathe clean, safe air every day.
Radon in Calgary Workplaces: Local Case Studies
Think your Calgary office is immune to radon? Think again. Several commercial buildings in Calgary—some newly constructed—have recorded radon levels multiple times higher than Health Canada’s recommended threshold. These real-world cases reveal how even modern workplaces can be at risk and showcase just how effective radon mitigation systems can be when installed by C-NRPP certified professionals.
High-radon cases in Calgary office buildings
One of the most striking examples involved a downtown Calgary law firm occupying a lower-level office space. After initial screening, radon levels were measured at over 800 Bq/m³—four times the national guideline. The employees, many working 9–11-hour shifts, faced disturbing levels of risk without knowing. Their building was less than 15 years old, proving that age isn’t always an indicator of radon vulnerability.
How mitigation improved air safety
Within 48 hours of installing a sub-slab depressurization system and adjusting building ventilation dynamics, the law firm’s suite saw an 80% decrease in radon levels, well below Health Canada’s benchmark. Follow-up testing confirmed stability during Calgary’s winter months—normally the peak for radon accumulation. This transformation improved both factual safety and employee peace of mind.
Lessons Calgary employers can learn
These case studies underline key insights: radon doesn’t discriminate by building type, age, or occupant industry. Regular radon gas testing in Calgary workplaces should be as routine as fire safety checks. Beyond physical installations, quarterly monitoring and transparent staff communication encourage trust and demonstrate due diligence in employee well-being.
After sub-slab depressurization, radon levels dropped over 80% in a corporate building span of just 48 hours.
Take a cue from these Calgary success stories—addressing radon now means fewer regrets later. Acting today could prevent years of cumulative exposure risks.
Creating a Radon Safety Plan for Your Workplace
Comprehensive approach to workplace radon safety in Calgary—testing, mitigation, and team training for a healthier office environment.
Concerned about radon in your office? You should be. Whether you manage a high-rise in downtown Calgary or a warehouse in the suburbs, implementing a radon safety plan isn’t optional—it’s essential. With radon levels in Calgary often exceeding Health Canada’s recommended action threshold, employers are under increasing pressure to initiate comprehensive indoor air quality strategies. This includes identifying dangerous exposure, installing mitigation systems, and building awareness through well-planned policy integration.
Checklist to develop a workplace radon policy
Creating a radon safety plan starts with a structured, step-by-step approach. A well-crafted workplace radon policy will help ensure you meet regulatory benchmarks while protecting staff from long-term radon exposure. Here’s what every Calgary employer should include:
- Initial Radon Gas Testing: Conduct C-NRPP certified testing in all occupied, below-grade, or ground-level spaces
- Assessment & Risk Evaluation: Interpret radon concentrations and assess potential exposure durations
- Mitigation Planning: If radon levels exceed 200 Bq/m³, initiate mitigation using professional-grade systems
- Communication Protocols: Notify employees about detected radon risks, response actions, and timelines
- Annual Retesting: Document monitoring procedures and commit to yearly follow-ups
Employers must document every step—from initial testing to post-mitigation evaluations—to build a defensible and transparent safety plan.
CSA standards and employer compliance
Businesses in Alberta are expected to meet CSA Z94.4.1 standards for radon in indoor working environments. Compliance with these national standards ensures that employers proactively manage occupational radon exposure.
CSA Z94.4.1 outlines procedures for high-quality testing protocols, response times, mitigation methods, and staff notifications. Following it isn’t just about checking a box—it’s part of your legal and moral responsibility to ensure a safe indoor environment. Property managers in Calgary’s commercial real estate sector are increasingly incorporating CSA compliance into lease agreements and health audits, making radon action plans a necessity.
How to train staff and increase awareness
Educating your staff is just as important as installing a mitigation system—your people need to know why it matters. Employee engagement enhances the effectiveness of safety measures and promotes a proactive culture around air quality.
- Launch mandatory training sessions during onboarding and annually thereafter
- Display radon awareness signage in common areas, including kitchens, hallways, and locker rooms
- Provide radon Q&A materials via employee handbooks or internal portals
- Designate a Radon Safety Coordinator or team liaison to field questions and foster accountability
An anecdote from a local Calgary HR director shared:
“When we added radon safety training to our wellness program, employees finally understood it wasn’t just science—it was personal.”
Monitoring after mitigation: what to know
After a radon mitigation system has been installed, follow-up monitoring is crucial. It verifies the system is performing effectively over time. Employers should schedule post-mitigation radon testing within 30 days of installation and continue annual testing thereafter.
- Document mitigation installation date and keep all warranty information on record
- Use continuous radon monitors in high-risk zones
- Track seasonal fluctuations—Calgary properties can show variance between winter and summer months
- Maintain a testing log as part of your health and safety documentation
By keeping radon on your radar well beyond installation, you ensure sustained improvements in indoor air quality and peace of mind for your Calgary-based workforce.
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!
