Updated November 2026 · Data: Health Canada Cross-Canada Survey of Radon Concentrations in Homes (2012), 2024 Cross-Canada Survey · Sources
In Health Canada’s national radon survey, 5.9% of homes tested in Newfoundland and Labrador were above the Canadian guideline of 200 Bq/m³, and 1.3% were above 600 Bq/m³. Weighted by population, Health Canada estimated that 5.1% of people in Newfoundland and Labrador lived in homes above 200 Bq/m³ (national figure: 6.9%). The 2024 Cross-Canada survey, which found radon levels rising across the country, estimates high radon in Atlantic Canada: about one in three homes.
Regional results are not your home’s level. Neighbouring homes can have very different radon levels. The only way to know yours is a long-term test.
Radon by health region in Newfoundland and Labrador
| Health region | Homes tested | Above 200 Bq/m³ | Above 600 Bq/m³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Regional Integrated Health Authority | 100 | 4.0% | 0.0% |
| Central Regional Integrated Health Authority | 201 | 5.0% | 2.0% |
| Western Regional Integrated Health Authority | 211 | 10.4% | 1.9% |
| Labrador-Grenfell Regional Integrated Health Authority | 201 | 3.0% | 0.5% |
Highest shares above 200 Bq/m³: Western Regional Integrated Health Authority (10.4%), Central Regional Integrated Health Authority (5.0%), Eastern Regional Integrated Health Authority (4.0%).
Radon test results by community in Newfoundland and Labrador
The 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge, run by Take Action on Radon (a Health Canada-funded initiative), gives communities long-term 91-day alpha track tests and publishes a report for each one. These are recent results, mostly from 2019 to 2026, and are a useful local snapshot, but each is based on a limited number of volunteer homes.
| Community | Homes tested | Above 200 Bq/m³ | Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conception Bay South | 254 | 29% | |
| Fogo Island | 31 | 7% | |
| Gander | 19 | 16% | |
| Logy Bay Outer Bay | 105 | 10.5% | |
| Mount Pearl | 91 | 14% | |
| Pasadena | 56 | 46% | |
| St. John’s | 280 | 11% | |
| Stephenville | 65 | 34% | |
| Torbay | 102 | 17% | |
| Wabana | 100 | 5% |
Highest shares above the guideline (40+ homes tested): Pasadena (46%), Stephenville (34%), Conception Bay South (29%).
How to test your home
- Health Canada recommends a long-term test of at least 91 days, with at least 91 days during the heating season (fall and winter), when radon levels are usually highest.
- Test the lowest level of the home where someone spends at least four hours a day.
- Long-term test kits are sold by hardware stores, online and by some health units and lung associations.
If your level is above 200 Bq/m³
The Canadian guideline is 200 Bq/m³ (about 5.4 pCi/L; the U.S. EPA action level of 4 pCi/L is about 148 Bq/m³). If your result is above 200 Bq/m³, Health Canada recommends taking corrective action to lower the level within one year, and hiring a professional certified by the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP). The most common fix is sub-slab depressurization: a pipe and fan draw radon from under the foundation and vent it outside.
Frequently asked questions
Is radon a problem in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Yes. In Health Canada’s survey, 5.9% of homes tested in Newfoundland and Labrador were above 200 Bq/m³, and the 2024 Cross-Canada survey found radon levels rising nationally. Any home can have high radon, so testing is the only way to know.
What is the radon guideline in Canada?
200 Bq/m³ in the normal occupancy area of a home. If a long-term test is above that, Health Canada recommends fixing the home within one year.
How do I test for radon in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Use a long-term test kit for at least 91 days during the heating season, placed in the lowest lived-in level. If the result is above 200 Bq/m³, hire a C-NRPP certified professional.
Compare all provinces and territories: Radon in Canada.
Sources
- Take Action on Radon: 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge community reports (retrieved November 2026)
- Health Canada: Cross-Canada Survey of Radon Concentrations in Homes, Final Report (2012), Tables 1, 2, 3 and 5
- University of Calgary: 2024 Cross-Canada radon survey news release (October 23, 2024)
- Health Canada: Government of Canada Radon Guideline
- Health Canada: Guide for Radon Measurements in Residential Dwellings
- C-NRPP