NEWS | SRD Releases Results of Community Radon Testing Initiative
Through the SRD’s Radon Test Kit Challenge, 117 homes participated to help better understand indoor air quality across our communities.
Campbell River, BC – During the winter of 2024–2025, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) partnered with Take Action on Radon to help identify potential risks to its residents from lung cancer by participating in the National 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge.
A total of 117 homes across the region voluntarily requested to take part in the initiative, which aimed to better understand indoor radon levels and raise awareness about this invisible health risk. Test kits were distributed throughout the SRD, including in Zeballos, Tahsis, Oyster River and Campbell River.
Results show that the vast majority of homes tested in the SRD had low radon levels:
- 96% measured under 100 Bq/m³
- 2% measured between 100 and 200 Bq/m³
- 2% measured above Health Canada’s guideline of 200 Bq/m³
The highest reading recorded was 214 Bq/m³.
At the postal-code level:
- In the V0P area, 23 homes were tested, with 2% measuring above the 200 Bq/m³ guideline, an average radon level of 39 Bq/m³, and a highest result of 214 Bq/m³.
- In the V9H area, 43 homes were tested, with no homes exceeding the 200 Bq/m³ guideline, an average level of 37 Bq/m³, and a highest result of 131 Bq/m³.
- In the V9W area, 41 homes participated, with no homes above the 200 Bq/m³ guideline, an average level of 30 Bq/m³, and a highest result of 70 Bq/m³.
The results within the SRD test area are encouraging in that only a small percentage of homes exceeded federal guidelines, however, the SRD emphasizes that radon levels can vary significantly from one building to another — even between neighbouring homes — making individual testing important.
“These results are reassuring overall, but they also confirm an important message: the only way to know your home’s radon level is to test,” said Strathcona Regional District Board Chair Mark Baker. “Even in areas where average levels are low, some homes can still have elevated radon. Testing is simple, affordable, and one of the best steps residents can take to protect their family’s long-term health.”
Why radon matters
Radon is a naturally occurring, colourless and odourless radioactive gas released from soil and rock. Outdoors, it is diluted and not harmful. Indoors, however, it can accumulate and pose a serious health risk.
Long-term exposure to elevated radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking and the leading cause among non-smokers.
“Radon is a well-established human carcinogen, and testing and reducing radon levels is an important method of lung cancer prevention,” said Dr. Anne-Marie Nicol, a researcher at Simon Fraser University. “Residential radon represents Canadians’ primary exposure to radon, and preventing that exposure will reduce the number of Canadians dying from lung cancer.”
The Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists recommends testing homes every three to five years to ensure continued safety.
Funding for this project was provided by Health Canada.
Learn more
Media Contact:
Aniko Nelson, Senior Manager, Community Services
Strathcona Regional District
250-830-6708 | anelson@srd.ca