Radon testing

Keep your indoor air safe

Test for radon. Protect your health.

Radon is an invisible, naturally occurring radioactive gas found in soil across Canada. It can enter buildings through cracks and openings in the foundation and build up indoors. Because radon has no smell or taste, testing is the only way to know if levels are high.

Reducing radon exposure helps protect lung health and improve indoor air quality for everyone who lives, works, or spends time inside a building.

How radon enters a home — Source: BC Centre for Disease Control

Why test for radon?

Radon is a leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause overall. In the Interior Health region, more than 30% of homes are estimated to have radon levels above the Canadian guideline.

Testing helps you understand your risk and take action if needed. You can purchase a radon test kit through the following suppliers:

Radon mitigation

If you discover that radon levels are above the Canadian guideline of 200 Bq/m³, Health Canada recommends working with a certified radon mitigation professional to reduce concentrations. To offset costs, financial assistance may be available through the Canadian Lung Association.

Find a radon mitigation professional
Find out if you’re eligible for a radon mitigation grant

Free radon test kit program

The RDCO Air Quality Program offers free radon test kits to Central Okanagan residents, with support from Interior Health, Take Action on Radon and partner municipalities. Everyone, including business owners, homeowners and renters, can participate to test homes, workplaces or other indoor spaces.

Before you get started

Annual program registration occurs in late September or early October.

Registration for the free radon test kit program does not guarantee participation
Kits are distributed on first-come, first-served basis
One test kit is available per property
Someone must live in the building during the testing period
Testing is most effective during colder months when windows are closed
If moving into a new house, test in the first winter living in it
Real estate professionals should advise sellers and landlords that radon levels of 200 Bq/m3 must be disclosed to buyers and tenants.

How the program works

Step 1: Register online

Link is available when program is active
If assigned a test kit, you’ll receive a confirmation email mid-October.
If not assigned, you’ll be placed on a waiting list and will receive updates.

Step 2: Attend a radon awareness webinar to learn how to use your detector

Webinars begin at the end of October and are accessed via Zoom or Facebook Live.

Step 3: Pick up your test kit

Visit your designated community collection location in early November.
Any unclaimed kits will go to applicants on the waiting list and any remaining kits will be available to the general public.

Step 4: Setup the radon detector for at least 91 days

Follow the instructions included in your kit.
Participants must complete the start and end survey (the laboratory requires both surveys to provide your confidential test results).

Step 5: Return your kit for analysis

Drop off your kit at your designated community collection location in late February or early March.
If you miss the drop-off deadline, you will need to mail it in to be analyzed:

Take Action on Radon
4 Donald McClintock Bay
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R2G 3N3

Step 6: Receive your results and next steps

Contact info@takeactiononradon.ca for updates or missing results.

Community collection locations

Central Okanagan Electoral Area East / Electoral Area West 
Regional District of Central Okanagan office
1450 KLO Road, Kelowna, BC
Monday to Friday - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

City of Kelowna
City Hall
1435 Water Street, Kelowna, BC
Monday to Friday - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

City of West Kelowna
City Hall
3731 Old Okanagan Highway, West Kelowna, BC
Monday to Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

District of Lake Country
Municipal Office
10150 Bottom Lake Road, Lake Country, BC
Monday to Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

District of Peachland
Peachland Community Centre
4450 6th Street, Peachland, BC
Monday to Thursday - 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Friday - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Westbank First Nation
Community Services Building
1900 Quail Lane, Westbank, BC
Monday to Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Lung health check study 2026

BC Cancer is offering a lung health check at their Kelowna and Vancouver sites for people whose homes have tested above 800 Bq/m3. The study includes a low-dose CT scan of your lungs, breathing test, and blood test as well as a questionnaire.

Program details

Eligibility

You may qualify if:

You are a women aged 45-74 years or a man aged 50-74 years
Your radon test was 800 Bq/m3 or higher
You lived in the house that was tested for at least 3 years
You have smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in your life

Contact

For more information, please contact the BC Cancer Breath lab study coordinator:

Exceptions

If you have smoked commercial tobacco for 20 years or more, either currently or in the past, there is a similar Lung Health Screen program you can access in BC. Call 1-877-717-5864 for more information.