Radon Kits

Curious about the radon levels in your home? Borrow a Radon Detection Kit from Vancouver Island Regional Library to get a read on radon in your home.

The library has grown the number of its seasonal radon detection kits in our collection, thanks to a partnership with the BC Lung Foundation. Library users can borrow the kits to test for high levels of radon in their homes and make informed decisions to protect their health.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in homes and buildings, especially in basements and lower levels. It’s tasteless, colourless and odourless and enters through cracks in foundations, construction joints, gaps around pipes and other openings. Prolonged exposure to high levels can pose a serious health risk and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada after smoking.

The digital radon detectors circulate from October 1 to April 1. This is because radon is only detectable during colder months, when windows and doors are mostly closed and heating systems are in use. Learn about borrowing these kits with the Q&A below.

Check the availability of kits and place a hold here.

Borrowing Basics

How long can you borrow a kit?

Kits are loaned for a three-week period between October 1 and April 30.

Why do these kits not circulate during warmer months?

It is more difficult to detect radon during warmer months, as windows and doors are often open to let in fresh air. Using a radon detector under these conditions can produce misleading results.

While the kits are not available to library users between May and September, users can still place holds during that time and will maintain their place in line when the kits return to circulation in the fall.

Can the kits be renewed?

Yes, as long as there are no holds.

What kind of radon detector is being loaned?

The kits include Corentium Home detectors by Airthings. These are user-friendly, digital devices designed for short- and long-term readings. No technical skills are needed to use this kit. The detectors are stand-alone devices with only two buttons. The device is continually on.

How do you use the device?

There is no “on/off” switch on these devices; they will arrive already turned on. Library users should press the reset button (found at the back) at the beginning of their borrowing period, to ensure previous users’ data is removed. The device should be placed in a frequently used living space in the home, away from direct sunlight and moisture, at least 50 cm above the floor, and at least 150 cm away from any door, window, or air vent. Allow up to 24 hours for the device to begin displaying a reading. The long-term reading displays the average since the reset button was last pressed; the short-term reading alternates between displaying the reading for the last day and the last 7 days.