Why testing for radon should always come before mitigation

It’s a common reaction: you learn about radon gas and its link to lung cancer, and suddenly your home feels like it could be a threat. You may feel anxious and think, “Should I just call a mitigator right now and get rid of it?” If you’re feeling this way, you’re not alone, and it’s understandable. Radon is invisible, odourless, tasteless, and associated with long-term health risks. But here’s the good news: you have time to make informed, evidence-based decisions.

Let’s walk through what to do when you first suspect radon in your home, especially if your anxiety is urging you to act immediately.

1. All Homes Have Some Amount of Radon

First things first: all homes have some amount of radon gas, a fact confirmed by research based on over 75,000 long-term tests across Canada. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps into our homes from deep in the ground. The amount often varies widely, even between neighbouring homes.

You might think that cracks in the foundation, or even a neighbour’s high reading, mean your home is unsafe; however, radon levels are unpredictable. Homes that appear “well-sealed” can have high levels, while homes with visible gaps might have very low radon levels. The only way to know your radon exposure is to test.

2. Testing Comes Before Action

It might feel counterintuitive when you’re worried, but the best first step is to test your home to determine how much radon is present before doing anything else. Skipping this step and jumping straight to mitigation is like getting surgery without a diagnosis. You might end up solving a problem you don’t actually have.

Health Canada recommends using a long-term radon test, which lasts at least 3 months (91+ days). Why so long? Radon levels naturally fluctuate by day, season, and weather. A short-term radon test might give a misleading result, either falsely reassuring you or unnecessarily alarming you.

A 3-month radon test provides an average reading that reliably reflects your long-term radon exposure. Since radon-induced lung cancer risk builds up over many years (not days or weeks), you’re not putting yourself at risk by waiting at least 91+ days to test properly.

The goal is to make data-driven decisions, not fear-driven ones. Testing first allows you to confirm if your radon levels are above the Canadian recommended action guideline of 200 Bq/m³ and whether mitigation is truly required. It’s also worth noting that organizations in some provinces and territories often offer support or reimbursement programs for mitigation, but these nearly always require a test result to qualify.

3. If You’re Feeling Anxious, You’re Not Alone

Health anxiety around radon exposure is understandable, especially after learning about the risks. The key thing to remember is that radon-related health risks are caused by long-term exposure and are manageable. Taking a deep breath (pun intended) and committing to a 3-month (91+ day) radon test is the most effective first step you can take.

In the meantime, resist the urge to compare your home’s potential radon levels to those of friends, family, or the house next door. Neighbourhood averages may sound reassuring (or alarming), but they don’t reveal what’s happening under your roof. Two houses on the same street, built at the same time, can produce dramatically different radon readings; only your test results can tell the true story of your home.

4. Resources to Support You

Once you’ve completed your long-term radon test, you can estimate the relative increase in your lung cancer risk from radon by using our Radon Exposure Calculator. This calculator estimates your annual and total absorbed radiation dose based on your radon levels and how long you’ve lived in the home that was tested for radon.

If your levels are high, mitigation is straightforward and effective. If they’re low, you’ve gained peace of mind. Becoming aware of radon is an important step in protecting your long-term health. Start with a long-term test, then make decisions based on real data, not fear.

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