Calgary Radon Blog | Safety Tips & Testing Guides
Passive vs active radon mitigation systems differ in effectiveness, cost, and energy requirements. Passive systems rely on natural convection without fans, achieving 30-50% radon reduction—often insufficient for high-concentration homes. Active systems add inline fans to create consistent negative pressure, achieving 80-99% reduction regardless of weather conditions. Calgary's climate extremes make active systems the recommended choice for reliable year-round protection.
Radon risk during basement renovation in Calgary increases when foundation work disturbs soil barriers, creates new entry points, or improves home air-tightness without addressing ventilation. Excavation, slab modifications, and crack repairs can temporarily elevate radon levels. Pre-renovation testing establishes baseline measurements, while post-renovation testing confirms whether mitigation is needed. Renovations provide ideal opportunities to install radon rough-ins or complete mitigation systems.
Calgary residential construction codes require radon rough-ins for all new homes built after 2015 under Alberta Building Code amendments. Rough-in requirements include sub-slab aggregate, sealed vapor barriers, capped radon pipe stubs, and designated electrical for future fan installation. These provisions enable cost-effective conversion to active mitigation if post-construction testing reveals elevated radon levels exceeding Health Canada's 200 Bq/m³ guideline.
Neighbor radon levels provide no reliable indication of your home's radon concentration. Adjacent Calgary homes can show dramatically different readings due to variations in foundation construction, soil permeability, crack patterns, ventilation systems, and microscopic geological differences. Health Canada confirms radon varies house-to-house even on the same street, making individual testing the only accurate method for determining your specific exposure risk.
Long-term radon costs extend far beyond mitigation expenses when exposure goes unaddressed. Radon causes approximately 3,200 lung cancer deaths annually in Canada, with treatment costs, lost productivity, and reduced quality of life representing substantial financial and personal burdens. Property value implications include disclosure requirements during sales and potential buyer concerns. Early detection and mitigation ($2,000-$3,500) represents minimal investment compared to long-term health and financial risks.
Radon in schools and workplaces poses occupational health risks addressed by Alberta OHS regulations and CSA standards. Ground-contact buildings require systematic testing across multiple zones, with the 200 Bq/m³ action level applying to occupied spaces. Building owners and employers bear responsibility for testing, mitigation when needed, and maintaining documentation. Schools present particular concern given children's vulnerability and extended occupancy hours.
Radon awareness for Calgary homeowners starts with understanding that this radioactive gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Approximately 1 in 4 Alberta homes exceed Health Canada's 200 Bq/m³ action level. Radon is odorless, colorless, and undetectable without testing. Every Calgary home should be tested regardless of age, construction type, or neighborhood—the only way to know your risk is through professional measurement.
Calgary radon guidelines follow Health Canada's 200 Bq/m³ action level, meaning homes testing above this threshold should implement mitigation within 12 months. Levels exceeding 600 Bq/m³ require faster action. While no radon level is completely safe, the 200 Bq/m³ guideline represents a practical threshold balancing health protection with feasible mitigation. Alberta Building Code incorporates these standards for new construction radon provisions.
Sealing foundation cracks alone does not effectively stop radon entry in Calgary homes. Radon gas enters through microscopic pores in concrete, construction joints, floor drains, and sump pits—not just visible cracks. Crack sealing may achieve 10-20% reduction at best and often fails as new cracks develop. Sub-slab depressurization remains the only proven method for achieving 80-99% radon reduction regardless of foundation condition.
Safe radon removal in Calgary requires C-NRPP certified professionals using proven sub-slab depressurization methods. Certified technicians assess foundation conditions, design appropriate system configurations, and install equipment meeting Health Canada guidelines. Safe removal includes proper fan sizing, sealed pipe connections, exterior venting above roofline, and post-installation testing. Professional certification ensures the elimination method protects both occupants and installers throughout the process.