Where Are You Most Likely to Be Exposed to Radon
Posted in Radon Testing, on July 04, 2025
Radon gas is a colourless, odourless, invisible gas that affects thousands of Canadians every year. As the second-most leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoke, it’s a serious health concern that SafeAir believes you should be informed about. So, where are you most likely to be exposed to radon? Air quality testing in Toronto is the premier method for assessing your home for radon gas. It takes a deep look at your indoor air quality for common allergens, pollutants, and factors that may help concentrate radon to dangerous levels. Here are some of the rooms SafeAir looks at during radon testing.
Residential Basements and Crawl Spaces
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The primary area that radon gas affects is the basement or crawl space. Radon gas is formed deep within the earth, but our basements and crawlspaces create pockets of negative pressure that can pull gas into them. Coupled with most basements’ lack of ventilation and airflow, harmful basement radon levels can build quickly. At SafeAir, we pay close attention to cracks and gaps in the foundation and flooring of basements when we’re looking for radon in homes — this is often an early indicator of what our tests may find.
Ground-Level Rooms in Homes
It’s not just basements that have radon problems. Older homes, those without basements, and homes built on certain types of soil or rock can all have elevated radon levels. These houses generally share similar features, such as poorly sealed flooring and a lack of natural ventilation and air circulation, which may also lead to other indoor air quality issues.
Schools and Public Buildings
It’s important to note that many types of buildings can be affected by radon gas. Office buildings and schools may also test positive for elevated radon gas, especially if they have basements or sub-grade classrooms or offices. Radon testing is critical because exposure causes no short-term signs or symptoms — by the time those symptoms appear, it’s often too late.
Workplaces in Industrial or Underground Settings
Industrial sites like mines, factories, or utility tunnels can all collect radon gas and increase worker’s risks. Property managers, health and safety committees, and business owners have a requirement under Ontario law to keep the indoor air quality of their workplaces safe, which includes radon exposure.
Regions with Naturally Higher Radon Levels
Some areas of Ontario have a naturally higher level of radon gas because it’s created by uranium deposits deep underground, which naturally vary in concentration. Health Ontario has done several surveys around the province and has outlined areas with statistically higher radon exposure risks. If your home lies in one of these regions, air quality testing can help you know exactly what your risk is.
The Importance of Testing and Monitoring
Having a foundation crack or living in an area with high radon levels doesn’t automatically mean your home is at risk — but neither does it mean you should skip radon testing. Testing helps establish a baseline, which can be helpful during renovations or when moving, and gives you peace of mind.
At SafeAir, we’ve helped thousands of families assess their risk with air quality testing in Toronto. This safe and science-based testing protocol can help you identify invisible risks like radon or mold, as well as more common air quality issues like pollution or VOCs. Knowledge is power, and there’s no reason to worry about your radon exposure when straightforward testing can help. Contact the SafeAir team to book a professional radon test in Toronto today.