Wellspring Alberta Radon Gas Project

In accordance with Wellspring Alberta’s mandate to provide and maintain safe indoor spaces that support the health and well-being of our members, volunteers, and staff, we are proactively testing radon levels in our centres in Calgary and Edmonton.

In October 2024, the results of a Canada-wide study of radon levels in residential buildings was released and concluded that higher radon levels were more prevalent in certain regions, including Alberta. Due to the high variability in residential building design and human behaviour, the only way to evaluate if a building has elevated radon levels is through testing.

As the health and safety of our members, volunteers, and staff are important to us at Wellspring Alberta, we have partnered with RadonWest, an external consulting company that is Canadian-certified in both the measurement and mitigation of radon. RadonWest has graciously donated its services to develop radon monitoring programs for each Wellspring Alberta centre, analytical testing and reporting and expertise with future mitigation measures if necessary.

What is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring colourless, odourless radioactive gas derived from the decay of uranium, thorium and radium in soil. Canada has higher levels of radon gas compared to other countries due to its abundant reserves of uranium-containing minerals. During past glaciation periods, these minerals were redistributed in the soils across the prairie provinces, including Alberta.

Radon gas can move through soil and enter buildings through cracks or openings in floors and walls. The amount of radon indoors depends on factors like building design, construction, and ventilation. Repetitive long-term exposure to radon gas has been demonstrated to increase the risk of developing lung cancer.

Wellspring Alberta’s Radon Testing Project

Because radon levels can vary over time, a testing period of at least 90 days is recommended for accurate results. Testing in the winter months is ideal, as buildings tend to have less incoming fresh air during that time.

Radon gas measurement devices will be strategically placed in rooms and areas at each centre where floors or walls are in direct contact with soil and occupancy rates are four hours or more per day. The measurement devices are small and unobtrusive and will be labelled with an ID tag identifying their purpose and providing contact information for Wellspring Alberta’s facility manager. To ensure accurate results, the devices must not be disturbed during the 90-day testing period.

Reporting & Mitigation

The purpose of the testing program is to determine if radon gas levels at Wellspring Alberta’s centres exceed Health Canada’s recommended level, at which radon mitigation is recommended. Following the testing period, RadonWest will provide Wellspring Alberta a detailed report of the findings for the testing areas within each centre.

Mitigation methods can vary significantly depending on location and building construction. Solutions range from simple modifications to the ventilation system to the installation of a remediation system that vents radon gas to the exterior of the building.

Next Steps

Measurement devices will be installed at Wellspring’s Carma House and Randy O’Dell House in mid-February 2025 and at Edmonton House in late February or early March 2025. RadonWest will provide Wellspring Alberta with a report of the findings by mid-June 2025. A summary of the results will be made available on our website.

If concerning levels of radon are identified in any of our centres, Wellspring Alberta will initiate mitigation procedures immediately, followed by additional verification testing.

Additional Information

For questions and comments regarding Wellspring Alberta’s radon testing program, email heatherc@wellspringalberta.ca. To learn more about radon gas, visit Health Canada or Evict Radon.