Summary of Key Points
- Health Canada has recalled several radon testing devices available online due to faulty technology.
- Canadians should only purchase C-NRPP-certified radon testing devices to ensure reliable testing.
- Radon is a leading cause of lung cancer for Canadians.
Radon Testing Devices Recalled Due to Inaccurate Results
In May 2025, Health Canada issued a recall for five radon testing devices sold online, including the Boyd Gresham ‘Toolhome’ Radon Detector, the Funny Kitchen Home Radon Detector, the InkBird Wifi Radon Detector model RD-2 and both the Life Basis Radon Detector and Life Basis Radon Smart Detector. The wave of recalls followed testing by the Radiation Protection Bureau, which found that many digital radon detectors produced unreliable measurements, potentially putting human health and safety at risk.
Health Canada’s notice said that 45 units of the Life Basis LSRM001, 79 units of the Life Basis Smart LCARM001, and 52 units of the InkBird Wifi Radon Detector model RD-2 were sold in Canada. Consumers who have purchased any of the previously mentioned radon testing devices are urged by Health Canada to dispose of them according to local guidelines for electronic waste.
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. When radon is released from the ground into the outdoor air, it dilutes to virtually nothing. However, in our homes, radon can accumulate to high levels, becoming a significant health risk. Radon is an invisible, odourless and tasteless gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Health Canada’s guidelines recommend action for radon levels above 200 Becquerel per cubic meter (Bq/m³); however, it is important to note that there is a 16% increase in your relative risk of developing lung cancer for every 100 Bq/m³ of radon.
When and How to Test
For the most reliable radon test results, it is important to use a long-term (91+ day) C-NRPP-certified radon testing kit. Since radon levels fluctuate day-to-day and season-to-season, a long-term test will provide an average of the radon levels throughout those changes. For example, the Evict Radon National Study offers these non-profit kits at cost to people who enroll in our research study.
Once you have received your radon testing kit, people are advised to place the device in the lowest, regularly occupied level of the home (such as somewhere that you or a family member spends at least 4+ hours per day). A few common places include bedside tables, main-floor rooms, or basement bookshelves.
It is not recommended to place your device in areas such as:
- Places where people usually don’t spend time (crawl spaces or furnace rooms)
- KitchensBathrooms
- Near open windows or exterior doors
- Rooms with fans or strong air circulation
Don’t place your device on the floor or near the ceiling either, as the goal is to test the air that you and others breathe regularly.
Your long-term radon test will start measuring radon levels the moment you unwrap the device, so you’ll want to choose your ideal testing location ahead of time. The minimum testing period for the long-term radon test is 3 months. However, you can also choose to leave the device in place for 6 months or a full year. We recommend testing for at least six months if you deploy your device over the summer months (May-August). Regardless of what length of time you choose to test, it’s vital to record the exact start and end dates, as this provides essential information needed to interpret your results; without these dates, radon results cannot be determined.
After a minimum of 91+ days, send your device to the laboratory for analysis. After about 2-4 weeks, the lab will email your radon test results to you, and you can then decide if radon mitigation is required for your home. Health Canada recommends radon mitigation for any homes that test at or above 200 Bq/m³. It is important to note that there is a 16% increase in your relative risk of developing lung cancer for every 100 Bq/m³ of radon that you inhale over the years.
Conclusion
The recent recall of radon testing devices underscores the importance of using trusted C-NRPP-certified tests when assessing the safety of your home. Radon exposure is a serious health risk, and inaccurate readings can give a false sense of security or a false alarm. By using a C-NRPP-certified radon test kit, Canadians can take meaningful steps toward protecting their health. If you haven’t tested your home yet or if you’ve used one of the recalled devices, now is the time to act. Reliable testing is the first step in preventing radon-induced lung cancer.
For more information, please reach out to us. We are more than happy to answer your questions.