Sask. Housing Corp. partners with Lung Saskatchewan to test radon levels

The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation will test radon levels in its units over the next 10 years through a new partnership with Lung Saskatchewan.

According to the provincial government, Saskatchewan has some of the highest radon levels in the country, and the testing will help ensure radon levels in the corporation’s units stay within Health Canada’s guidelines.

“Radon gas exposure is the second-leading cause of lung cancer (after smoking) which is why it is so critical to test for radon in our homes,” Jennifer May with Lung Saskatchewan explained in a statement.

“Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium, and all homes in our province will have some level of it. The question is, how much? You can’t see, taste, or smell radon gas. The only way to know how much radon is in your home, is to test for it.”

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The phased approach to testing will begin in March, the province said, and tenants were encouraged to get in touch with their local housing authority for details.

“Testing will start with the largest housing authorities in the first three years and expand to additional locations beginning in 2028. Tenants will be notified through their housing authority when testing takes place in their unit,” the corporation explained in a statement.

“If radon levels are found to be above Health Canada’s recommended threshold, SHC will work with local housing authorities to develop a remediation plan to reduce the radon levels in the home and retest the unit.”

Gene Makowsky, the minister responsible for the housing corporation, said health and safety are a top priority for the organization.