Radon is invisible. Testing is how you know.
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that can build up inside homes. For buyers, sellers, and homeowners in the Kootenays, understanding radon is an important part of making informed property decisions.
A natural gas that can collect indoors.
Radon is a colourless, odourless radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium breaks down in soil, rock, and groundwater.
Outdoors, radon is diluted in the air. Indoors, it can enter through openings in contact with the ground and build up over time, especially in lower levels of a home such as basements and crawl spaces.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure to elevated radon levels can increase the risk of lung cancer. The good news is that radon can be tested for, measured, and reduced when levels are high.
Important: You cannot see, smell, or taste radon. The only way to know the radon level in a specific home is to test.
Testing is simple, but timing matters.
Radon levels can change from day to day and season to season, so a longer test gives a better picture of a home’s average radon level.
Place the test
A long-term radon test is usually placed in the lowest lived-in level of the home, following the instructions provided with the device.
Leave it in place
Health Canada recommends long-term testing for at least three months to better estimate the home’s average annual radon level.
Review the result
If the average annual level is above the Canadian guideline, homeowners can speak with a certified radon professional about mitigation options.
Radon is a property topic worth understanding.
Radon is not about panic. It is about awareness, testing, and making informed decisions.
For buyers
Ask whether a home has been tested for radon and whether documentation is available. If no test has been done, you can plan to test after possession or discuss options with your real estate professional.
- Ask if previous radon results are available.
- Understand that levels can vary by home.
- Consider testing as part of long-term home ownership.
For sellers
Having radon information available can help answer buyer questions with more confidence. If testing has been completed, keep the report and any mitigation documentation organized.
- Keep past radon test results accessible.
- Keep mitigation documentation if work has been completed.
- Share information clearly and accurately when asked.
High radon levels can often be reduced.
If testing shows elevated radon, the next step is usually to speak with a qualified radon mitigation professional. Mitigation systems are designed to reduce radon entry and lower indoor levels.
Test first
Reliable measurement helps determine whether mitigation is needed and provides a baseline for comparison after any work is completed.
Use qualified help
A certified radon professional can recommend the right approach for the home and confirm whether mitigation has reduced levels effectively.
Learn more from official radon resources.
The links below provide more detailed information about radon, testing guidance, health risks, and radon resources in British Columbia and Canada.
Radon Information
Learn about radon, health risks, testing, and Canada’s radon guideline.
Visit Health Canada → BCCDCRadon in BC
Read about radon risk in British Columbia and why testing is recommended for homes.
Visit BCCDC → Province of BCRadon Guidance
Review provincial information about radon, health risk, testing, and prevention.
Visit BC resource → BC Lung FoundationRadon Test Kits
Find public education and information about obtaining a radon test kit in BC.
Visit BC Lung → C-NRPPFind a Professional
Search for certified radon measurement and mitigation professionals in Canada.
Visit C-NRPP → Bennett ResourcesReal Estate Advice
Explore more buyer and seller guidance from Bennett Family Real Estate.
View advice page →Make informed decisions about your home.
If you are buying, selling, or preparing a property in the Nelson and Kootenay area, Bennett Family Real Estate can help you understand what questions to ask and where to find reliable radon information.
Understanding Radon
Radon is produced from the natural decay of uranium found in soil and rock. It can enter buildings through cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, and other openings. Since radon is colorless and odorless, the only way to detect its presence is through testing.
Health Risks
Long-term exposure to elevated radon levels increases the risk of developing lung cancer. It's the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and significantly elevates the risk for smokers. Please follow the link below for more detialed information.
BC Center for Disease Control Web link.
According to the BCCDC radon Levels in British Columbia can vary widely, even between neighboring homes. While some regions in BC, particularly the Interior and Northern areas, are known to have higher radon levels, all homes should be tested regardless of location.
Testing For Radon
1. Obtain a Test Kit: Purchase a do-it- yourself radon test kit or hire a certified professional. The BC Lung Association offers test kits suitable for long-term testing. Please visit www.radonaware.ca to find out how to purchase a kit.
2 Placement : Place the detector in the lowest level of your home that is regularly occupied, sach as a basement or ground floor. The test kits will provide futher location instructions.
3. Duration: Leave the detector undisturbed for a minimum of 91 days to a maximun of 12 months to ensure accurate results.
4. Send for Analysis: After the testing period, send the detector to a certified laborotory for analysis.
Radon Resources
Radon Awareness
Watch the BC Real Estate Association video discuss radon and how to keep your family safe from this hidden threat