Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps up from the ground and collects inside homes. You cannot see it, smell it, or taste it, and long-term exposure is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in Canada after smoking. If you own a home anywhere in Metro Vancouver, the only way to know your level is to test.
Coastal Metro Vancouver tends to show lower radon concentrations than communities in British Columbia's interior, thanks to the region's geology and generally milder building conditions. But "tends to" is not the same as "won't." Elevated results turn up across British Columbia — including inside individual homes on the coast — because radon depends on the soil, the foundation, and how each specific house breathes over the winter. Two homes on the same street can read very differently. Testing is the only way to know what is actually happening in your home.
Communities we cover
Metro Vancouver spans the City of Vancouver and its surrounding municipalities across the Lower Mainland. We support homeowners throughout the region, whether you live near the water, up the North Shore, or out toward the Fraser Valley. Our detailed local guides cover:
We also serve homeowners in Surrey, Richmond, Coquitlam, Langley, and North Vancouver, along with the smaller communities in between. For the wider provincial picture, see our overview of radon in British Columbia.
How radon testing works
Health Canada recommends a long-term test of at least 91 days, ideally run over the heating season when your home is closed up and radon levels are at their most representative. A short-term test can hint at a problem, but radon swings from day to day and even hour to hour, so a long measurement gives you a far more accurate annual average.
The process is simple. You place the detector in the lowest level of your home that you use regularly — a finished basement, or the main floor if you don't spend time downstairs — about 1 to 2 metres off the floor and away from drafts, windows, and humidity. You leave it undisturbed for the full test period, then mail it to the lab.
Our radon test kit is built for exactly this. It includes a C-NRPP-approved detector, prepaid two-way shipping, analysis by a Canadian C-NRPP certified lab, and a clear emailed report — plus reminders throughout the 91 days so the test actually gets finished and returned. We handle the follow-through so you don't have to remember every step.
Your report is measured in becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m³). Health Canada's action guideline is 200 Bq/m³ — the level at which taking action to reduce radon is recommended. It is important to understand that this is an action guideline, not a line between acceptable and harmful. Any amount of radon carries some risk, and there is no known level that is entirely free of risk. Lower is always better.
What to do if your level is high
If your result comes back at or above 200 Bq/m³, Health Canada recommends taking action to reduce it. The good news is that radon is very treatable. Reach out to a C-NRPP-certified radon mitigation professional for an assessment and a quote. Most homes are fixed with a system called sub-slab depressurization, which uses a small fan and a vent pipe to draw radon out from beneath the foundation before it can enter your living space. A properly installed system typically reduces indoor radon substantially.
After the work is done, retest to confirm the system is doing its job. Testing again is the only way to verify that your levels have actually come down and stayed down.
FAQ
How do I test my home for radon?
Health Canada recommends a long-term test of at least 91 days, ideally over the heating season. Place the detector in the lowest level you spend time in, leave it the full period, then mail it to a lab. Our kit includes the C-NRPP-approved detector, prepaid two-way shipping, analysis by a Canadian C-NRPP certified lab, and an emailed report.
Is there an acceptable level of radon?
Any radon carries some risk, and there is no known level that is free of risk. Health Canada's 200 Bq/m³ is an action guideline — the point at which reducing your level is recommended — not a line between acceptable and harmful.
Where should I place the radon test kit?
In the lowest level of your home you use regularly — a finished basement, or the main floor if you don't use the basement — about 1 to 2 metres off the floor, away from drafts, exterior walls, windows, and humidity, under normal living conditions.
What do I do if my Metro Vancouver home tests high?
At or above 200 Bq/m³, Health Canada recommends taking action. Contact a C-NRPP-certified radon mitigation professional for a quote; a properly installed system typically reduces levels substantially. Retest afterward to confirm it worked.
Does coastal Metro Vancouver still need to test?
Yes. Coastal Metro Vancouver tends to show lower radon than BC's interior, but individual homes still test elevated because levels depend on each home's soil, foundation, and airflow. Testing is the only way to know your own result.
Test your Metro Vancouver home
Don't guess — order your radon test kit and find out your home's real level.