Manitoba is the second province with homes that have too much radon. Health Canada says about 19 percent of people in Manitoba live in places with more radon than is safe. The safe level is 200 Bq/m3.

Why is too much radon not good?

Too much radon is not good because it can make you sick with lung cancer if you are around it for a long time. Every year, about 200 people in Manitoba get lung cancer because of radon. This number includes people who never smoked and people who smoke.

What exactly is radon?

Radon is a gas that you cannot see or smell. It comes from radioactive elements. These elements, like uranium, are in rocks and soil. Radon mixing with outdoor air is not a problem. But radon is harmful when it enters enclosed spaces. Houses can have radon. It comes in through cracks in floors and walls. It also enters through gaps around pipes and windows. We do not know when radon is in the air we breathe because it is a gas.

You will often find radon on the lowest floor of a home. This is usually the basement. Radon levels are highest in the winter. During winter, we close our windows and doors. We also stay inside more in the winter.

Do we need to panic about radon?

Radon can be harmful if you are exposed to it for a long time and at high levels. You should not panic, but it is good to take action. It is important to make sure the air in your home is safe for you and your family. Here are some steps you can follow:

1. Test for radon

   You can hire someone or test for radon yourself. You can buy home testing kits. You can get them from Manitoba Provincial Association providers. The test may cost between $50 to $100. You leave this device in your home for three months. Then, you send it to a lab. The lab will tell you the results of your radon test.

   • If the result is low (below 200 Bq/m3) – You do not need to do anything. But, it is good to try to lower your home’s radon levels more (look at number 3). Radon levels can change. This is why you should test every five years.
   • If the result is high (above 200 Bq/m3) – Talk to a certified radon fixer. They will find out where the radon is coming from. They will tell you what to do to fix it.

2. Active Sub-Slab Depressurization

   This is the best way to lower radon in homes. It can reduce radon by 90% or more. A fixer puts a pipe in the basement or foundation. They also attach a fan. The fan works all the time. It pulls the gas out of your home and lets it out into the air. This can cost a lot of money. See if you can get help paying for it. Look at programs from Manitoba Hydro and Lungs Matter. If your home is new, it might have a radon pipe in the foundation. This is part of the Manitoba building rules. It is not a full system. A certified fixer can check this and help you plan.

3. Other ways to lower radon levels

   • Seal entry points. Close up places where radon can enter your home. Use caulk to seal cracks and holes on your basement floor. Also seal spaces around pipes and drains.
   • Put special traps on basement floor drains.
   • Let more air into your home. Open your windows when you can. You can also put in a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) to help air move in your home.

   If you rent an apartment, ask your landlord if they have tested for radon. You can also test it yourself. Talk about the test results with your landlord. This is very important if the test shows a lot of radon. Fixing it might need big changes.

   Where can I get more information?

   You can find more information about radon here:

   1. Radon, Manitoba Health
   2. Take Action on Radon
   3. Radon Reduction Guide for Canadians
   4. Radon: Testing your home
   5. Radon, Canadian Cancer Society

    
   Sources: Radon, Manitoba Government; Radon Kits, Breathe, the lung association; How to test for radon, Take Action on Radon; Indoor air quality and ventilation, Manitoba Hydro. Accessed January 18, 2024.