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, 8.8% of homes tested in Nova Scotia were above the Canadian guideline of 200 Bq/m³, and 2.5% were above 600 Bq/m³. Weighted by population, Health Canada estimated that 10.7% of people in Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia
| Health region | Homes tested | Above 200 Bq/m³ | Above 600 Bq/m³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | 97 | 6.2% | 2.1% |
| Zone 2 | 106 | 4.7% | 1.9% |
| Zone 3 | 95 | 12.6% | 3.1% |
| Zone 4 | 99 | 2.0% | 0.0% |
| Zone 5 | 92 | 14.1% | 6.5% |
| Zone 6 | 103 | 13.6% | 1.9% |
Highest shares above 200 Bq/m³: Zone 5 (14.1%), Zone 6 (13.6%), Zone 3 (12.6%).
Radon test results by community in Nova Scotia
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halifax | 76 | 37% |
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 Nova Scotia?
Yes. In Health Canada’s survey, 8.8% of homes tested in Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia?
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