Radon testing in Whitehorse

Health Canada's 2012 survey found 19.6% of 225 homes tested in the Yukon health region above the guideline. The larger 2024 Cross-Canada survey reports 27.8% (1 in 4) of houses at or above the guideline for Whitehorse, YK (Whitehorse census agglomeration).

The two surveys aren't directly comparable: the 2024 study pooled about 69,000 volunteer tests and more of them were taken in basements, which partly explains its higher numbers. Neither can tell you about a single house, because neighbouring homes can differ widely.

• Use a long-term test of at least three months, with most of it in the heating season, which gives the most conservative result.
• Place the detector in the lowest level you spend four or more hours a day in, away from drafts, and follow the kit's instructions.
• If the result is above 200 Bq/m³, Health Canada recommends fixing it within a year, sooner if it's much higher.

Our full radon testing guide.

• Yukon public libraries lend free radon screening kits from November to May, with 10 at the Whitehorse Public Library, and the Yukon government says there's radon in every Whitehorse subdivision.
• For a professional measurement or mitigation, search the C-NRPP directory by your Whitehorse postal code; it lists certified measurement and mitigation professionals.

• Yukon enforces the 2020 National Building Code with territorial variations; its soil-gas section requires a radon rough-in in new homes.
• If your level is high, mitigation (usually a sub-slab depressurization fan system installed by a C-NRPP-certified professional) typically costs $2,000–$4,000.