Radon Mitigation Edmonton: Protecting Your Home from a Silent Threat

Most Edmonton homeowners rarely consider the presence of Radon in their homes. As a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas that occurs naturally, Radon is easy to ignore. However, it is so dangerous that learning about and managing Radon levels is essential to having a healthy home. As Canadians become more aware and concerned about indoor air quality, learning about and managing Radon levels is vital for having a healthy home.

What Is Radon, and Why Is It a Health Concern

Radon is produced from the natural decay of uranium found in soil, rock, and water. Indoors, it can accumulate to harmful levels, especially in poorly ventilated or tightly sealed homes. This invisible gas can pose a serious long-term health risk, particularly if it’s not detected, and for Canadians living in high-risk regions, that can mean a long, worrying wait.

How Does Radon Enter Homes?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas resulting from the decay of uranium in soil and rock. In Alberta, including Edmonton, the soil contains higher concentrations of uranium, increasing the potential for elevated radon levels in homes. Radon gas moves through the ground and can enter buildings through any openings where the structure contacts the soil. Common entry points include cracks in foundation walls and floors, construction joints, gaps around service pipes, sump pits, and floor drains

During colder months, homes are typically sealed tightly to conserve heat, which reduces ventilation and can lead to higher indoor radon concentrations. Additionally, the 'stack effect'—where warm indoor air rises and escapes through the upper parts of the house—creates negative pressure at the lower levels. This pressure difference draws radon gas from the soil into basements and lower-level rooms.​

Given these factors, it's important for homeowners in Edmonton and across Alberta to test their homes for radon, especially during the winter months when levels are likely to be highest.​   

Understanding Radon Mitigation in Edmonton

Alberta’s distinct geology is key to the high Radon levels in Edmonton. Uranium decomposition in the province’s glacial and sediment-heavy soil yields elevated Radon levels. Alberta consistently has some of Canada’s highest Radon levels, according to Health Canada’s cross-Canada surveys, and numerous homes in the province test well above the national guideline of 200 Bq/m³, according to multiple measurements recorded in homes throughout the Edmonton area.

How Do Radon Levels in Edmonton Stack Up Against Other Cities?

Regarding Calgary and the rural parts of Alberta, Edmonton is at the top of the list of Radon hotspots in the province. Due to similar soil conditions, Calgary homes are also registering high concentrations. Still, many of Edmonton’s homes are older, and this, coupled with less ventilation in many basements, creates a greater chance of dangerous Radon buildup. Rural areas, while less populated, are not immune. Indeed, many rural homes built on top of an exposed rock layer or  thin soil layers over bedrock likely have higher readings. However, due to Edmonton’s urban density and housing trends specific to a climate region, it is an area of focus in mitigation and awareness efforts.

Alberta Radon Gas Health Effects

In Alberta, it goes beyond financial implications—the health effects of Radon gas are serious. There is also, over a long enough period, a clear association between high Radon, this gas seeping from the ground, and elevated lung cancer risks. Radon causes more than 3,000 deaths in Canada each year, according to Alberta Health Services, and Alberta has its share of these deaths, given its geology. Smokers face an even greater danger, but non-smokers are also at risk. Most cases of lung cancer in Alberta attributed to Radon occur in non-smokers.

Radon Testing in Edmonton Homes

The only way to determine if your Edmonton house has dangerous Radon levels is to conduct some tests.  Health Canada advises all Canadians, particularly those living in high-risk areas like Edmonton, to conduct a long-term Radon test during fall or winter when homes are sealed and Radon levels are more stable. These tests should be run for at least 90 days to capture accurate readings. Several community organizations also provide Radon awareness campaigns with subsidized or free test kits.

Options for Radon Mitigation in Edmonton

The most common approach is to install a sub-slab depressurization system, which uses a pipe and fan system to vent Radon safely outside through the foundation slab. Homeowners may also qualify for financial assistance from federal and provincial grant programs, including those offered through the Lungs Matter initiative.

Homeowner Prevention Tips for Radon Mitigation in Edmonton

Although professional mitigation makes for the most efficient option, homeowners in Edmonton can practice prevention activities to reduce Radon entry into their homes. Sealing any visible cracks in foundation walls and floors, covering sump pumps with airtight covers, and properly sealing around pipes can all help minimize Radon infiltration. However, these strategies should supplement, not replace,  long-term testing and, if needed, professionals’ mitigation.

Conclusion:

Radon gas poses a real threat, but it’s manageable. Homeowners can take the appropriate steps to reduce elevated Radon levels in Edmonton, understand the geological and structural factors contributing to them, and understand the adverse health effects Radon exposure can have for Alberta residents. It is easy and cheap to test, and mitigation, when necessary, works exceptionally well. With support from local agencies, updated building codes of Canada, and public health initiatives, Edmonton is in a better place to combat this invisible threat than ever. Take action now to protect your home from radon to make sure your home is Radon-protected.