Steps to Reduce Radon

homeowners

Once you test a building for RADON and find that levels are too high,
there are effective steps you can take to reduce RADON.

Health Canada provides guidance on how quickly to take action after receiving your RADON test results, but it is ultimately up to the homeowner to decide how soon they can reduce RADON levels.

Active Soil Depressurization (ASD)

The most effective method of RADON mitigation is Active Soil Depressurization (ASD) - a system that removes RADON directly from beneath the building before it can enter the home.

Health Canada research on the ASD method showed that in a study of 52 homes, RADON levels were reduced below 200 Bq/m3 in every case.




Reduce your Radon Exposure:

Step 1: Testing for Radon

RADON is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
No area is RADON-free - it cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted.
The only way to know the RADON level in your home, school, or workplace is to test.

We recommend testing during the first heating season in your home and retesting every five years, or sooner if you complete major renovations.

Step 2: Lowering Radon Levels

There are several effective ways to reduce RADON levels in your home:

  • Seal the foundation - sealing cracks and openings in the building’s foundation helps reduce RADON entry.
  • Remove RADON from below the building - this reduces the amount of RADON entering from ground contact.
  • Increase ventilation - improving air exchange dilutes indoor RADON concentrations.
  • Active Soil Depressurization (ASD) - an ASD system removes RADON from beneath the building and provides a direct pathway for it to exit outdoors.
    This is the most effective and reliable method of reducing RADON levels in a home.