Radon Testing in Federal Buildings - Highlights

From 2007 to 2019 Health Canada tested radon levels in federal buildings. The purpose of this project was to identify federal workplaces with radon levels above the Canadian Radon Guideline of 200 Bq/m3. This allows federal employers and building managers to address the need for remediation, should it be necessary.

Health Canada provided the radon detectors and instructions on where to place them as well as the laboratory analysis and results. Each individual department or building manager was responsible for deploying detectors in the buildings and sending them back to Health Canada's National Radon Laboratory for analysis. All radon tests are conducted using long-term (3-month) radon detectors.

The following is a breakdown of radon test results of federal buildings following the project’s completion in 2019.
Total number of Buildings 21,665
Number of Buildings with average Radon below 200 Bq/m3 20,893
Number of Buildings with average Radon between 200 and 600 Bq/m3 680
Number of Buildings with average Radon above 600 Bq/m3 92

At the completion of the project in 2019, approximately 3.6% of the federal buildings tested had average radon concentrations above the Canadian Guideline.

Canadian federal building owners or facility managers are welcome to contact Health Canada for information on radon testing at 1-833-723-6600 or radon@hc-sc.gc.ca.

Health Canada is working in partnership with a number of organizations to raise awareness about the risks from radon including the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists, Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Partnership on Children's Health and Environment, and Take Action on Radon.

Health Canada has developed a number of resources including brochures, factsheets and guides to help Canadians learn about radon and how to protect themselves and their family by testing and reducing the level, if necessary.

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