What Your Radon Test Results Actually Mean for Your Home Safety
Posted in Radon Testing, on September 04, 2025
Have you tested your home for radon yet? Many homeowners across Toronto have never heard of radon testing and may unknowingly be breathing in this colourless, odourless gas. SafeAir offers radon tests as part of air quality testing in Toronto or as a stand-alone service. Having your home assessed for something that you can’t even sense may feel like it should be lower on the to-do list, but radon is a significant home safety concern, with serious, long-term health risks. Here’s why the SafeAir team thinks you should test for radon (and what the results really mean!).
The Health Risks of Elevated Radon Levels
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Radon is colourless, odourless, and leaves no visible mark on your property — so why is it important to test for? Radon gas is radioactive, and, like all radioactive particles, it decays. Radon is small enough to be breathed into the human respiratory tract, and when it decays in our lungs, it causes damage that leads to lung cancer. After tobacco smoke, it’s actually the leading cause of lung cancer in Canada. With no early warnings or symptoms, it’s incredibly important to test for it before it's too late.
You should consider radon testing if your home has a basement, is on rock, or is in a region with an elevated risk (Ontario Health has a map). Vulnerable groups include children, the elderly, and those with chronic respiratory issues.
Understanding Radon Test Results
Testing your home for radon gas is the first step — understanding what those results mean is the second. At SafeAir, we’ll never leave you guessing or interpreting results from a radon test on your own.
Generally, Health Canada’s guidelines state that homes with results under 200 becquerels per cubic meter (200 Bq/m3) are safe. You may also encounter American-style measurements like picocuries per litre (pCi/L), of which 5pCi/L is considered safe.
Radon tests are either done over a short term or a long term. Long-term tests are considered more accurate because radon levels will shift during the season and because of weather or external events.
What to Do If Your Radon Levels are High
If your radon testing results come back above the safe limit, what’s next? At SafeAir, we’ll offer tailored solutions that fit your results, your home, and your budget. This may include temporary solutions like:
- Increasing ventilation in key areas like the basement.
- Sealing cracks or gaps in the foundation.
- Replacing old windows or doors in the basement.
- Installing radon filters on taps, wells, or sump pumps.
Long-term solutions may include professional radon mitigation systems that use fans or change the pressure under your slab to keep radon from collecting in your home.
Preventing Future Radon Risks
At SafeAir, prevention is always the goal when doing air quality testing in Toronto. Once you know what issues affect your home, you can put into place lasting solutions that prevent them from occurring in the future.
A professional opinion and approach is critical. DIY fixes or best-guesses often result in greater harm or secondary issues. The first step is always knowing your risk level; after that, we can move forward together to solve any radon concerns.
Why Work with A Local Toronto Expert
SafeAir has over a decade of experience helping families across Toronto understand their radon risk and restore the safety of their home. We offer certified, science-based radon testing and air quality assessments that will positively impact your well-being and safety. Don’t wait to test for radon — the risk is real and solutions are available. To learn more, contact SafeAir today.