Indoor Air Quality

How to Test for Radon in Your Home

Health Canada recommends every Canadian home be tested. A long-term test kit placed on the lowest occupied level gives the most reliable result.

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Step by step

How it works

Follow these steps for an accurate long-term measurement

1
Purchase an approved long-term test kit
Choose a Health Canada approved kit designed for a minimum 3-month exposure period. Short-term charcoal kits are less reliable for annual average estimates.
2
Place the detector correctly
Set the detector on the lowest level of your home where people spend 4+ hours per day — usually a basement bedroom or family room. Keep it away from drafts, exterior walls, windows, and heat sources.
3
Run the test through heating season
October through April is ideal in most of Canada. Radon levels are typically highest when homes are sealed and heating systems run. Do not open windows excessively during the test period.
4
Mail the kit to the lab
After the exposure period, seal the detector per kit instructions and send it to the accredited lab included with your purchase. Results usually arrive within 2–3 weeks.
5
Compare results to the reference level
Health Canada's reference level is 200 Bq/m³. At or above this level, mitigation is recommended. Below 200 Bq/m³, retest every 2 years or after major renovations.

200 Bq/m³

Health Canada action level for indoor radon. No level is considered safe, but mitigation is recommended at or above this threshold.

Long-term alpha-track or electret kits are widely available online and through radon labs.