Radon FAQs

What is Radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from uranium in the ground. It can get into your home undetected, you can’t see it, smell it, or taste it.

All homes have some level of radon. The question is how much and the only way to know is to test. In confined spaces (like a home) radon can build up to high levels and over time become a health risk.

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers

Health Effects

Radon causes lung cancer.

Radon is a radioactive gas. When we breathe it in, we are exposing our lung tissue to ionizing radiation. This radiation causes damage to the DNA in our lung tissue and can lead to lung cancer.

Radon exposure is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. An estimated 16% of lung cancers are from radon exposure, resulting more than 3,000 lung cancer deaths in Canada each year.

People who smoke AND are exposed to radon have an even higher risk of lung cancer.

The health risk from radon is long-term not immediate. The longer you are exposed to high levels of radon, the greater your risk.