When we think of a tasteless, odourless, invisible killer at home, carbon monoxide (CO) comes to mind. But there’s another often-overlooked danger: Radon.

In Canada, Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking, and the number one cause among non-smokers. CO kills about 300 Canadians a year, while radon-induced lung cancer claims more than 3,200 lives – roughly eight daily.

“The problem is fixable and totally preventable,” says Dr. Aaron Goodarzi, Canada Research Chair for Radiation Exposure Disease at the University of Calgary. “But people can’t be complacent.”

What is radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced when uranium in soil and rock breaks down. Outdoors, it disperses harmlessly. But when it seeps into homes through cracks, drains or gaps around pipes, it can accumulate to dangerous levels.

Breathing in radon means inhaling radioactive particles that damage lung cells. Over time, this can lead to lung cancer – often without warning.

Health Canada estimates that one in 10 Canadian homes has radon above the recommended guideline of 200 Bq/m³ (becquerels per cubic metre). This means that 200 radon atoms are decaying every second in one cubic metre of air. And while lower levels carry less risk, there’s truly no completely safe level of radon.

Some parts of Canada report among the highest average indoor radon levels in the world, second only to Poland.

Why testing matters

Radon levels can vary dramatically from home to home – even on the same street. Old or new, every home is vulnerable – because radon is invisible, the only way to know your level is to test.

Homeowners have three main options:

• Professional testing: Certified experts can measure your home, but this can be costly and requires scheduling.
• Traditional alpha track kits: Simple and inexpensive, these one-time-use 90-day devices are mailed to a lab for analysis, providing only a snapshot.
• Digital monitoring: Devices such as the new Airthings Corentium Home 2 offer continuous, real-time readings and can be reused indefinitely.

While mail-in kits and professional services each have their place, the Corentium Home 2 strikes the perfect balance between accuracy, affordability and convenience. Unlike one-time kits, it continuously tracks radon over time. Unlike costly professional services, it’s a one-time investment with no recurring fees.

A smarter way to monitor radon

Airthings, a Norwegian leader in air quality monitoring, designed the Corentium Home 2 to make testing simple, accurate and affordable. Building on the original model, it adds temperature and humidity tracking, enhanced Bluetooth LE,and optional SmartLink integration.

Unlike its predecessor and other detectors, it can also run fully standalone – no Wi-Fi, smartphone or app needed. Just insert the two included AA batteries and let it work. At just 2.4 by 1.1 by 4.45 in. (61 by 29 by 113 mm) and 5.08 oz (144 g), it’s compact and portable. Battery life runs about two to three years.

Performance and accuracy

The Corentium Home 2 starts collecting data right away but needs about a week to stabilize its readings. That’s because radon fluctuates throughout the day, and the unit continuously samples the air to calculate an accurate average. After the first week, readings are reliable within about 10 per cent of lab-grade results, improving to five per cent after two months.

Because radon levels change with weather, ventilation and seasons, Health Canada recommends testing for at least three months, ideally during winter when homes are sealed and pressure differences draw more radon from the ground. Continuous monitoring captures these long-term variations, helping homeowners make informed decisions.

Continuous monitoring captures long-term variations, helping you understand patterns and make informed mitigation decisions.

Clear, actionable information

On its LCD display, you can see at a glance:

• Short- and long-term radon averages (one-, seven- or 30-day, or one-year)
• Temperature and humidity readings
• A simple Good/Fair/Poor indicator
• Bluetooth and SmartLink connection status

Pair it with the free Airthings app to access interactive graphs, historical trends and personalized tips. The app also offers firmware updates to enhance performance and enables remote monitoring if you add an Airthings Hub or compatible View device.

Taking action

If your long-term readings exceed 200 Bq/m³, like it did in my home, Health Canada advises mitigation – such as sealing foundation cracks or installing a sub-slab depressurization system. Certified radon professionals can help determine the best approach.

Once mitigation is complete, the Corentium Home 2 can verify results over time – something disposable kits can’t do.

Cost and availability

The Airthings Corentium Home 2 retails for $249 with a one-year warranty, extendable free to five years if registered within 30 days. It’s available through airthings.com, Amazon and other major retailers.

Final thoughts

Radon may be invisible, tasteless and odourless – but it’s not undetectable. Awareness, measuring and action are the keys to protection.

The Airthings Corentium Home 2, with its impressive balance of accuracy, portability and simplicity, helps make your testing straightforward and ongoing. It’s a great investment in your home’s health – and your family’s.

With November marking National Radon Action Month, there’s no better time to test. Detecting and reducing radon is a small action that could make a life-saving difference.

If you discover elevated levels, call a certified professional and download Health Canada’s free Radon Reduction Guide at canada.ca/radon.

To learn more about Airthings Corentium Home 2, visit airthings.com.

Why the Airthings Corentium Home 2 stands out

• Continuous, real-time radon readings – see changes as they happen
• Standalone operation – works fully without an app
• Tracks temperature and humidity for environmental context
• Portable, battery-powered and easy to move
• No lab fees or recurring costs – one-time purchase for ongoing peace of mind
• Optional Bluetooth and SmartLink app integration for insights and graphs