Radon is an invisible, odourless gas that can cause serious health problems if present in high concentrations indoors. It forms naturally when uranium in bedrock breaks down, entering buildings through their foundations, construction materials, or household water supply. As radon cannot be smelled, tasted, or seen, the only reliable way to detect it is to measure its concentration.
There are certain situations when it’s particularly important to check radon levels. Buying a home, renovating your home, and changing ventilation systems are some examples. Outdated measurements are another. An accredited measurement helps avoid long-term exposure, which increases the risk of lung cancer.
We’ve come up with the top five situations when radon testing is particularly important:
- When buying a home
Buying a home is one of life’s biggest investments, and a time when checking radon levels is crucial. There may be previous measurement results available, but if the test results are more than a few years old, or if the house has been renovated, it’s wise to perform a new test.
Tip: Carry out a short-term measurement before purchase, which can serve as a basis for price negotiations. This should always be followed up with a long-term measurement during the appropriate season (at least 60 days during the winter months/heating season, October – April).
- During building renovations
Major renovations, especially those involving basements, floors, walls, or ventilation, can affect how radon enters and spreads through a building. A floor that was previously airtight may become leaky, and changes in air circulation can create negative pressure that draws in more radon from the ground.
Recommendation: Measure radon levels both before and after renovation to ensure the changes have not increased radon concentrations.
- Time for a new test – two to five years since the last measurement
Radon levels in a home can change over time due to ageing building materials, shifts in ground conditions, or adjustments to ventilation. If it has been 2-5 years since the last radon measurement, it’s time to test again, especially in homes where people spend a lot of time.
- Low radon levels in neighbouring homes? You should still test your own
Radon levels below the actionable limit (200 Bq/m3) in neighboring houses do not necessarily reflect the situation in your own home. Differences in construction tightness or building materials can result in very different readings. Regardless of whether neighbouring homes have low radon levels, the safest option is always to test your own.
- After installing or changing a ventilation system
Ventilation is one of the most significant factors affecting indoor radon levels. If you have installed a new ventilation system, changed airflow rates, or switched from natural to mechanical ventilation, the balance in the building may shift. In some cases, radon levels will decrease. In others, especially when negative pressure occurs in basements or ground floors, they may increase. Testing after ventilation changes allows you to quickly identify and address potential problems.
A smart investment in health
Measuring radon is simple but essential for protecting the health of those living in a home or working in any given building. Whether you’ve just moved in, completed renovations, or simply want to make sure levels remain low, there are many occasions when a new radon test is a wise investment.
