Make sense of radon
Radon is an odourless, tasteless, and invisible gas that could be in your home. It can be dangerous to your health and is the second primary cause of lung cancer in Canada. Test your home, it makes sense.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. When radon enters your home through cracks or openings in the foundation walls and floor, it can accumulate to a level until it becomes a health risk.
Who is at risk
In Nova Scotia, approximately 36.8% of homes are expected to have radon levels exceeding the Health Canada radon guideline of 200 Bq/m3, compared to the national average of 17.8% (Cross-Canada Survey of Radon, 2024). While it's true that some communities have higher than average radon levels, each house is different and high radon levels can be found anywhere. This means that all homes are at risk of elevated radon levels.
Where radon occurs in Nova Scotia
Radon has the potential to be released from rock and soil throughout Nova Scotia.
The Nova Scotia Radon Risk Map highlights high, medium, and low-risk areas, all with homes exceeding the Canadian radon guideline of 200 Bq/m3. Test your home, there are no radon-free areas.
| High | Medium | Low |
|---|---|---|
|
55% of buildings in high-risk areas exceed the radon guideline. |
31% of buildings in medium-risk areas exceed the radon guideline. |
19% of buildings in low-risk areas exceed the radon guideline. |
Radon Mitigation Infographic (PDF)
Reasons why you should test your home for radon
It is an invisible, odourless, colourless, and tasteless radioactive gas.
It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada.
Health Canada attributes over 3,000 lung cancer deaths each year in Canada to radon. According to CAREX Canada (2016), it is estimated that radon causes more than 100 deaths per year in Nova Scotia.
Test your home for radon, it makes sense.
How to protect yourself from radon
Testing is the only method to determine whether your home has high radon levels.
- Purchase a do-it-yourself test kit.
- Hire a radon measurement/mitigation professional if your test results exceed the Health Canada Guideline.
- Take action to lower the radon level below the Health Canada guideline of 200 Bq/m3. Install a radon mitigation system, if required.
Health Canada recommends a long-term test for a minimum of 3 months.
Where to get radon test kits
- Borrow a do-it-yourself digital test kit from the Public Libraries. Keep in mind that short term tests, such as those used in the library loan program, are only screening tests. This radon monitor is not a substitute for long-term radon testing.
- A long-term test kit is available for purchase through the LungNSPEI website.
- Nova Scotia Radon Reduction Grant Program – Free Radon Test Kits for Low Income Households
- If preferred, a certified radon professional can be hired to test your home.