Radon Exposure Guidelines: Upcoming Harmony at the Federal Level is a Reminder to all Workplaces to Test for Radon

In October of 2023, the Canadian Government announced their intention to change the Canadian Labour Code (CLC) to harmonize their radon exposure limit with Health Canada’s guidelines. This was welcome news in the radon industry, as the labour code’s existing exposure limit of 800 Bq/m³ has seemed woefully outdated since Health Canada lowered their guideline level to 200 Bq/m³ in 2007.

The CLC exists to protect the rights and well-being of both workers and employers in federally regulated workplaces. The CLC is divided into four parts, one of which (Part II) is exclusively devoted to Occupational Health and Safety. Part II states that employers have a general obligation to protect the health and safety of employees, as well as anyone else who is granted access to the workspace.

Radon, as the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, can pose a serious health threat to anyone who works indoors and should be considered in any Occupational Health and Safety plan. Given that radon comes from the breakdown of uranium in the soil all across Canada, and that no area of the country has been found to be radon free, testing for this radioactive gas should absolutely be conducted in all workplaces.

While the CLC only applies directly to workers in federally regulated workplaces, the good news is that many organizations are already set for the upcoming changes. The federal government has been testing their own buildings, and many other workplaces that come under the jurisdiction of the CLC are in the process of testing. Thanks to this testing, Health Canada released Radon Testing in Federal Buildings – Highlights on their website, which reports that 3.6% of the buildings tested above the guideline. The upcoming harmonization of the CLC and the example set by the federal building testing serve as important reminders to all employers and building owners that testing for radon is an important responsibility. 

Our focus can now shift to the provinces, as we encourage them to take action to address radon in workplaces. Some jurisdictions have already set an example. In Ontario, the Occupational Health and Safety Act states that employers must take every precaution reasonable to protect workers, which includes protecting workers from the hazards associated with radon exposure. 

In a survey conducted jointly by CARST and the Canadian Radiation Protection Association (CRPA), only 25% of respondents said their workplace had been tested for radon. Testing your workplace for radon doesn’t have to be complicated, but it’s important to get it right. Fortunately, there are guidelines and resources to help you! If you would like more information, consult Health Canada’s Guide for Radon Measurements in Public Buildings, Canadian – National Radon Proficiency Program’s (C-NRPP’s) Workplace Resources, or consult a C-NRPP Radon Measurement Professional to guide you.

See related articles:

Radon Awareness: The Power of Working Together, May 17, 2023

Radon in the Workplace – Are You Protected?, October 11, 2022.

Annual Dose Contributions of Typical Indoor Radon Levels (Part 1), December 9, 2020

Annual Dose Contributions of Typical Indoor Radon Levels (Part 2), October 26, 2021

Radon Action Month: Awareness Through Education, December 9, 2020