Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in the soil. Being exposed to high levels of radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. Testing your home for radon is an important step to protect your family.
C-NRPP provides guidance to homeowners on each step of the radon journey. Here you’ll find links to additional information and online tools, as well as downloadable resources and publications.
There are a variety of ways to measure radon in your home, but it’s important to use a C-NRPP approved device and follow Health Canada’s recommendations for testing.
Once you measure a building for radon and determine that levels are too high, there are steps that you can take to reduce radon levels.
For new homes, building codes and standards includes measures specifically designed to make radon mitigation systems quieter, more efficient and more effective.
What to expect at every stage of the radon testing and mitigation process.
Check that the professional you are working with have an active certification from C-NRPP.
C-NRPP has several resources to support homeowners.
Q. I have tested my home for radon and have received my report, but I’m not sure what to do next.
If you review your radon report from the lab, you should find the radon level reported in Bq/m3 . This is the average radon level in your home during the testing period. Based on this result, Health Canada recommends the actions specified below. You are encouraged to mitigate your home as soon as possible, but you have time to find a certified professional and budget to have the work done.
Health Canada’s Recommended mitigation timeline:
Q. How do I ensure I’m hiring the right professional?
Hiring a C-NRPP professional ensures that you are hiring someone who has taken training and is required to stay current with research and Canadian standards.
A C-NRPP Measurement Professional is trained to measure radon in residential and large buildings.
A C-NRPP Mitigation Professional is trained to help with reducing high radon levels.
Find a certified professional on the C-NRPP Find a Professional list.
Here are some questions to ask when hiring a mitigation contractor.
Q. I’m thinking of renovating, should I test for radon before or after I’m done?
Test for radon before making any renovations to your home that include the basement (or lowest level of your home), so that you can include the cost of a mitigation system in your renovation plans, should one be needed.
Be sure to test your home for radon after any energy efficiency renovations such as increasing insulation in the attic or walls, replacing windows, or otherwise improving the air-tightness of your building envelope. Also be sure to test for radon after replacing your heating system.
By hiring a C-NRPP Measurement Professional to conduct the testing for you, you can ensure that tests are properly placed. A professional will provide you with the information you need in a way that is easy to understand so you can be assured of your family’s safety, and that of your home, for years to come. Find a list of certified professionals here.
Q. What is radon?
Radon is a tasteless, odourless and invisible radioactive gas.
It is naturally occuring in our soil from the breakdown of uranium. Radon filters up from the ground and enters all buildings which are in contact with the ground. In the outdoors, radon is diluted to low levels, however inside buildings, radon can build up to harmful levels. Breathing increased levels of radon increases a person’s chance of developing lung cancer.
The Canadian – National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP) is a certification program that provides accountability to homeowners if there are questions or challenges.
C-NRPP certified professionals are to reflect high standards and ethics in their work and comply with recognized standards of practice to protect public health and safety. Both radon measurement and mitigation professionals are to communicate clearly and accurately with consumers about their process and the harmful effects of radon gas.
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