Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that is invisible, odourless, and naturally present in the air – it’s also one of the most overlooked and underestimated health risks in Canadian properties. When you breathe in radon, it decays into radioactive particles that can become lodged in your lung tissue. Because of this, high radon levels have been recognized as the leading environmental cause of lung cancer in Canada, including the Calgary, AB area.
Once inside a home or business, particularly in a basement or lower level, radon can accumulate to dangerous concentrations. The problem isn’t a single breath of radon-laden air. The real danger lies in long-term, repeated exposure over months and years.
What Measurement Is Used for Radon in Canada?
In Canada, radon concentrations are measured in Becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m³). A Becquerel represents one radioactive decay event per second, and the “per cubic metre” portion reflects the concentration of that radioactive activity within a given volume of air.
This is the standard unit used by Health Canada, the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP), and all certified radon professionals operating across the country. When you receive the results from a radon test, your reading will be expressed in Bq/m³.
What Does Health Canada Say About Radon Levels?
Health Canada has established a national radon guideline that provides clear thresholds for residential settings and business establishments.
- Below 200 Bq/m³: No immediate action is technically required, however, Health Canada emphasizes that there is no truly “safe” level of radon exposure. Lower is always better, and even spaces below 200 Bq/m³ can benefit from radon mitigation.
- 200 Bq/m³ to 599 Bq/m³: In these cases, radon mitigation is strongly recommended within 2 years. At this level, your long-term lung cancer risk is meaningfully elevated compared to properties with lower concentrations.
- 600 Bq/m³ or higher: For these higher levels, radon mitigation is recommended within 1 year. Levels this high represent a significant health risk and should be addressed as a priority.
It’s important to note that 200 Bq/m³ is not a “safe” number – it’s an action threshold. Health Canada acknowledges that even radon levels below 200 Bq/m³ carry risk, and the goal of any radon-aware home and business owner should be to reduce levels to as low as reasonably achievable – not to simply fall under the guideline.
Is Alberta at a Higher Risk for Radon Than Other Provinces?
Unfortunately yes – significantly so. Alberta (and the Calgary area, specifically) consistently ranks among the provinces with the highest radon exposure rates in Canada. Why is this?
- Geological Factors: Alberta’s bedrock and soil contain elevated concentrations of uranium-bearing minerals, particularly in areas underlain by shale formations and certain types of sedimentary rock. As uranium naturally decays, it produces radium, which in turn produces radon gas. This gas migrates through the soil and ultimately into buildings.
- Climate & Building Practices: Alberta’s cold climate means most buildings are sealed tightly for six to eight months of the year, dramatically reducing natural air exchange. This creates conditions where radon that seeps in has limited opportunity to escape – allowing it to accumulate to higher indoor concentrations.
This is not meant to alarm Alberta home and business owners, but to underscore the importance of radon testing. The risk is real and local – but it’s also addressable.
How Do I Know if My Radon Levels Are High?
The only reliable way to know if your radon levels are high is to test your home or property. Radon cannot be seen, smelled, tasted, or detected by any physical symptom, and lung cancer associated with radon exposure typically doesn’t manifest for decades, which is precisely why so many people underestimate the risk – there’s no immediate feedback.
You can schedule a free radon test with our experts today – your safety is our priority.
What Happens if My Calgary, AB Property Tests Above 200 Bq/m³?
If your test results come back at or above the Health Canada guideline, the recommended solution is a radon mitigation system – most commonly a sub-slab depressurization (SSD) system.
Here’s how it works:
- A certified radon professional cores a hole through your basement slab.
- A suction pit is created beneath the slab, accessing the permeable aggregate layer below.
- A dedicated radon fan is installed and connected to a pipe that routes through or around the building.
- The fan creates negative pressure beneath the slab, drawing radon-laden soil gas out before it can enter the property.
- That gas is exhausted safely above the roofline, away from windows and air intakes.
When properly designed and installed, SSD systems are highly effective, typically reducing radon concentrations by 80 to 90% or more. The fan runs continuously, drawing very little electricity, and most systems are designed to operate for 10–20 years with minimal maintenance.
At Radon Doctors, we take a diagnostic, analytical approach to every property we assess. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution, we evaluate your foundation’s pressure field, airflow dynamics, slab type, and overall building science before designing the mitigation system.
Protect Your Family: Start with a Free Radon Test
At Radon Doctors, we offer free radon testing to help Calgary and Alberta property owners understand their risk without any financial barrier. If your radon levels are elevated, we’ll walk you through every option clearly, honestly, and in plain language. We’ll explain what’s happening beneath your foundation, why the system we’re proposing is the right fit for your space specifically, and what results you can realistically expect.
And if mitigation isn’t necessary? We’ll tell you that too – and we’ll give you the information you need to monitor your property going forward.
Ready to get started? Reach out today.