Radon Program

Phase 1 sampling and mitigation complete.

Phase 2 sampling and mitigation complete.

Phase 2b sampling complete; mitigation in progress.

UCalgary Radon Monitoring Project

As part of a proactive approach to ensuring a safe and healthy environment for our community, Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) is leading a long-term project to measure radon levels in university-owned buildings. 

What is Radon?

Radon is an odourless, colourless and radioactive gas that arises from soils all over the Canadian Prairies, and can accumulate to unsafe levels within indoor environments. Long-term exposure to radon is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.

Radon can enter a building through openings where the building contacts the soil such as: cracks in foundation walls and in floor slabs, construction joints, or gaps around service pipes. 

The Testing Process

Radon levels in a building can vary significantly over time — to derive accurate radon concentration readings, a minimum three-month measurement period is required. Testing is done in the winter months (Oct. – Apr.) during the heating season when buildings tend to be sealed off from the outside air.

A radon measurement device is about the size of a hockey puck. The devices are strategically placed in rooms that are occupied more than four hours per day and have floors or walls in direct contact with soil. 

Mitigation Methods

Mitigation methods can vary significantly depending on the room or building. In many cases, a simple adjustment to the ventilation system can do the trick — other issues may require foundation repair or supplemental ventilation systems.

UCalgary Approach Aligned with World Health Organization Guidelines 

Health Canada recommends that residential radon levels between 200 and 600 Becquerel per cubic meter (Bq/m3) be mitigated within two years, while the World Health Organization proposes a reference level of 100 Bq/m3 to minimize radon-related health hazards. With these recommendations in mind, UCalgary has committed to achieving radon levels less than 100 Bq/m3.

Working With the Best

UCalgary will plan and execute phases of the project in collaboration with Radon West, an external consulting company that is Canadian certified in both the measurement and mitigation of radon. Radon West was selected through an RFP process.

UCalgary is also lucky to have available the expertise of globally recognized radon gas researcher, Dr. Aaron Goodarzi, PhD and assistant professor at the University of Calgary. In addition to acting as a consultant on the University Radon Monitoring Project, Goodarzi currently leads the Evict Radon campaign to test Canadian homes for radon.

Get in Touch

For questions and comments about the university Radon Monitoring Project, email ucsafety@ucalgary.ca. To learn about testing your own home for radon, visit Health Canada or the Evict Radon site. 

    Radon Monitoring Project – Phase 2b (2023/2024)

    Radon measurement devices will be deployed during fall 2023 and collected for analysis after three months.

    Phase 2b includes those buildings that were not previously included in Phase 2 due to renovation, occupancy, or sustainability initiatives at the time. 

    Buildings included in Phase 2b

    Main Campus:

    • Engineering Block E
    • Math Sciences
    • Murray Fraser Hall
    • Social Sciences

    Foothills Campus:

    • Cal Wenzel Precision Health

    Spyhill Campus:

    • Weather Research Station

    Phase 2b Results

    Main Campus

    Radon monitoring results from Phase 2b listed buildings were well below 100 Becquerel per cubic meter (Bq/m3).  No mitigation efforts required.

    Foothills Campus

    Radon monitoring results from Phase 2b listed buildings were well below 100 Bq/m3.  No mitigation efforts required.

    Spyhill Campus

    The Weather Research Station returned results above 100 Bq/m3.  Investigation and mitigation efforts have been initiated.  Re-sampling will follow mitigation to verify radon levels have been brought below 100 Bq/m3.

                                                                                                                                                          

    Radon measurement devices were  deployed during fall 2019 and collected for analysis after three months.

    With the exception of buildings undergoing renovations or sustainability initiatives, Phase 2  measured radon levels in buildings that have both a sub-basement and basement occupancy of more than four hours a day, as per Health Canada’s occupancy definition. Field stations and some buildings with unique conditions were  also included in Phase 2.

    Buildings included in Phase 2

    Field Stations:

    • Kananaskis (Barrier Lake) – multiple buildings
    • WA Ranches – multiple buildings
    • Rothney Astrophysical Observatory Lab and Interpretative Centre
    • RB Miller Research Station and Trailer
      Monitored for three-months during the occupancy period (April - October)
    • Kluane Mess Hall and Wood Cabin
      Monitored for three-months during the occupancy period (April - October)

    Main Campus:

    • Biological Sciences
    • Calgary Centre for Innovative Technology
    • Engineering Blocks A, B, C, D, F, G
    • Heating Plant
    • Science B

    Spyhill Campus:

    • Clinical Skills building
    • High Density Library
    • Veterinary Science research station

    Phase 2 Results

    Field Stations

    Three buildings at WA Ranches, and two buildings at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory returned results either above or close to 100 Becquerel per cubic meter (Bq/m3). Investigation and mitigation efforts were initiated summer 2020. All five buildings were re-tested following mitigation activities which verified radon levels had been brought below 100 Bq/m3. 

    Radon monitoring results for RB Miller and Kluane field stations were below 100 Bq/m3. No mitigation efforts required.

    Main Campus

    Radon monitoring results from Phase 2 listed buildings were well below 100 Bq/m3. No mitigation efforts required.

    Spyhilll Campus

    Radon monitoring results from Phase 2 listed buildings were well below 100 Bq/m3. No mitigation efforts required.

    During fall and winter 2018/19, the university proactively monitored radon levels in on-campus student residence buildings, student family housing units, and daycare facilities. Investigation and mitigation activities were concluded during spring and summer 2019.

    Radon measurement devices were deployed during fall 2018 and collected for analysis after three months.

    Buildings included in Phase 1

    Daycare Facilities:

    • Child Care Centre
    • Child Development Centre (including Renfrew Educational Services space)

    Student Residences:

    • Aurora Hall
    • Cascade Hall
    • Crowsnest Hall
    • Glacier Hall
    • Kananaskis Hall
    • Olympus Hall
    • Rundle Hall
    • Yamnuska Hall

    Student Family Housing:

    • Family Housing Blocks A - Y

     

    Phase 1 Results

    Daycare Facilities

    Radon monitoring results were well below 100 Bq/m3. No mitigation efforts required.

    Student Residences 

    One unit within three different buildings returned results either above or close to 100 Bq/m3.  Investigation and mitigation efforts were initiated spring and summer 2019.  All three units were re-tested following mitigation activities which verified radon levels had been brought below 100 Bq/m3.

    Student Family Housing

    One unit within one family housing block returned results either above or close to 100 Bq/m3.  Investigation and mitigation efforts were initiated spring and summer 2019.  This unit was re-tested following mitigation activities which verified radon levels had been brought below 100 Bq/m3.