Have Radon on Your Radar
A recent update of the Greig health record that guides preventive care for children reminded us to be aware of radon exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas that results from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. It has no odour or taste. It can find its way into homes and accumulate over time. Uranium is a common element found in the earth’s crust.
Radon exposure has health effects. It is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. 16% of lung cancers are thought to be from radon exposure.
Testing for radon is easy and inexpensive. Kits are easily available to measure levels in your home. The tests need to be done over a five-month period in the fall or winter. The kits are certified by the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP). You can go to TakeActionRadon.ca to find a test kit for your home.
If your home tests above the 200 Bq/m3 limit, there are safe and effective ways to reduce radon levels. A certified professional to mitigate levels can be found through c-nrpp.ca. It is estimated that one in five homes in Canada have radon levels that are high enough to impact health.
An article in CBC news from January 28, 2026 highlights the fact that millions of homes in Canada have high levels of cancer-causing radon. Our cold climate leads us to build homes that keep heat inside, but this results in us also keeping radon levels indoors. A new building code that was passed in December 2025 ruled that newly built homes must have a radon stack – a kind of chimney gets rid of radon.
For the rest of us, it is important to test our homes. Kits may be available through libraries and public health units. The home warranty program in Ontario covers radon mitigation testing and treatment for seven years after a home is built. Protect your health and the health of your family!
Dr. Bhooma Bhayana is a family physician in London and the mother of two young men and proud grandmother of three! She continues to find wonder and enjoyment in family practice despite more than 30 years on the job!
