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RADON TESTING APRIL - AUGUST?: 6 MONTH RADON TEST ENCOURAGED  

Thank you for your interest in testing with the Evict Radon National Study

The Evict Radon National Study is a national research study involving researchers and scientific partners from across Canada who are dedicated to solving Canada’s significant and worsening radon-gas exposure problem. Radon is a substantial cause of lung cancer even in non-smokers. By testing your home with our at-cost, research-grade radon test kits and enrolling in our national, public university-based research study, you are helping researchers from across Canada to understand radon exposure and develop new ways to protect ourselves and loved ones.

Common practice stated that winter is the optimal time to radon test. However, as we collect more data, we have determined little difference between winter and spring radon testing. We do, however, encourage our participants to test over seasonal change. At this time, the best and most accurate radon readings obtained during the spring and summer months are those that are longer than 6 months. 

Radon Research Series

Understanding radon as a function of building air dynamics

Radon Research Series

Inhalation of radioactive radon gas within the built environment is a leading cause of lung cancer, with Canadian exposures being amongst the highest globally. All areas of Canada have proven to have the risk of long-term lung irradiation with cancer-causing doses (100 Bq/m³ or higher) of radon.

Differences within the built environment are a primary driver of radon level differences between properties, with newer and larger residential homes with fewer storeys containing even higher levels than older, smaller, and multi-storey equivalents. Largely, the way a given residential property ‘breathes’ – meaning the dynamic manner in which fresh and stale air is exchanged and moves within a home – is a critical factor in why some homes have high radon and others (perhaps right next door) have low radon.

Over the past five years, we have identified nearly a dozen separate property metrics that work together to influence building air dynamics and radon levels.

These include the status of, but not limited to:

  • Windows
  • Chimneys
  • The Roof
  • Insulation
  • Heating Type

By understanding this in detail, we are working towards a more effective way of risk prediction and (potentially) points of modification to ‘radon-proof’ future properties.

Related Blog Content Scientific Reports (2021) Scientific Reports (2019) Survey Report (2017)
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