Radon Testing

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that accumulates in enclosed spaces, and Health Canada identifies it as the leading cause of lung cancer among people who have never smoked. Alberta consistently shows higher residential concentrations than the national average, and Calgary is no exception. Health Canada's guideline is 200 becquerels per cubic metre, and the only way to know a specific house is to measure it.

Health Canada recommends long-term measurement. A certified professional should set the placement and duration using current guidance, including sufficient time during the heating season. A vacant home may be heated or ventilated differently from normal occupancy, so the professional must consider whether the conditions will produce a representative result.

Testing and interpretation are performed by a certified radon professional. VacantHomes coordinates placement, attends for access, confirms the device remains undisturbed during routine visits, and coordinates retrieval — which is otherwise the awkward part when the owner is out of the country for the whole test window.

One caveat that matters: a vacant house is not heated and ventilated the way an occupied one is, and that can affect readings. A certified professional should advise on whether conditions during your vacancy will produce a result you can rely on.