Canadian Homes Face Rising Radon Levels – Building Code Update & Mitigation Costs

A recent building‑code update, released in late December, now requires passive radon stacks in all newly built Canadian homes, yet roughly one in five existing residences still face dangerous radon levels—more than double the figure from the late 2000s. Radon‑induced lung cancer kills an estimated 3,200 people each year. Health Canada’s threshold is 200 Bq/m³; some homes record 400–600 Bq/m³, far above the limit. Testing should last 91 to 360 days, preferably in winter. Mitigation—typically a foundation‑to‑roof pipe and fan—costs $2,000–$5,000 and can be covered by Ontario’s home warranty (up to 7 years) or Manitoba’s hydro‑loan financing. Experts like Pawel Mekarski, Sarah Butson, and Dr. Kong Khoo stress testing as a lifesaving step.