Many Manitoba homeowners are surprised to learn that radon can be a serious local issue.
Radon is not something you can see, smell, or taste. It is a naturally occurring gas that comes from the ground, and the only way to know the level inside your home is to test. That makes it easy to overlook, especially if your home looks clean, well-built, and well-maintained.
So why is radon in Manitoba such an important topic?
The answer comes down to a mix of geology, soil conditions, home construction, ventilation, and Manitoba’s cold climate. Not every Manitoba home has high radon, but the province has enough meaningful radon risk that homeowners should take testing seriously.
What Is Radon and Where Does It Come From?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It forms when uranium breaks down in soil and rock.
Uranium is found naturally in the ground in many parts of Canada. As it decays, it can release radon gas. Outdoors, radon usually disperses into the air. Indoors, it can become trapped and build up to higher levels.
Health Canada explains that radon can enter homes through openings where the house contacts the ground, such as cracks in the foundation, construction joints, gaps around pipes, sump pits, floor drains, and crawl spaces.
If you are new to this topic, RadonPatrol’s beginner guide, “What Is Radon and Why Should Manitoba Homeowners Care?”, is a helpful place to start.
Why Can Radon Be High in Manitoba?
Radon risk is strongly connected to the ground beneath a home.
Some soils and rock formations release more radon than others. Since Manitoba has varied geology and soil conditions, radon potential can differ across the province and even between individual properties.
This is why it is difficult to say that one entire city, neighbourhood, or street is “safe” or “high.” Radon does not follow property lines in a simple or predictable way.
Take Action on Radon’s Manitoba page notes that radon concentrations differ from house to house and region to region, and that every region in Canada has some homes with high radon levels. It also reports that, based on Health Canada’s 2012 Cross-Canada Survey, 19% of homes in Manitoba measured above the Canadian radon guideline of 200 Bq/m³, with certain regions showing results up to 44% above the guideline.
That does not mean every Manitoba home has high radon. It means Manitoba homeowners have good reason to test rather than assume.
Why Manitoba Winters Can Make Radon More Noticeable Indoors
Manitoba winters can also play a role in indoor radon levels.
During cold weather, homes are usually sealed up tightly to keep heat inside. Windows are closed, ventilation may be reduced, and heating systems run for long periods. At the same time, warm indoor air naturally rises and can escape through the upper parts of the home.
When that happens, the house may pull replacement air from lower areas, including from the soil around the foundation. This is sometimes called the “stack effect.” In simple terms, the house can act a bit like a straw, drawing air in from below.
If the soil gas beneath the home contains radon, that radon can be pulled indoors through:
- Foundation cracks
- Sump pits
- Floor drains
- Construction joints
- Gaps around pipes
- Crawl spaces
- Openings in or around the basement slab
Manitoba Health notes that Health Canada recommends testing for at least three months, ideally during the winter months, when indoor radon levels are generally highest.
This is not meant to scare homeowners. It simply explains why radon testing in Manitoba is often most useful during the colder part of the year.
Are All Manitoba Homes at Risk?
Every home has some level of radon risk until it is tested, but that does not mean every home has high radon.
Radon levels can vary significantly from one home to another. Two homes on the same street can have different results. One home may test above Health Canada’s guideline while another nearby home tests lower.
Several factors can affect the result, including:
- Soil conditions beneath the property
- Foundation design
- Cracks and openings in the slab or walls
- Sump pits and drains
- Basement or crawl space construction
- Ventilation
- How air moves through the home
- How often windows are open or closed
Home age alone is not a reliable indicator. New homes can have high radon. Older homes can have low radon. Finished basements, unfinished basements, crawl spaces, and slab-on-grade homes can all be affected.
The appearance of the home is not enough to know. A clean, renovated, well-maintained home can still have elevated radon.
Why Regional Statistics Are Useful but Not Enough
Radon statistics are useful because they show that Manitoba has meaningful radon risk.
They help homeowners understand that radon is not rare, imaginary, or only a concern in other provinces. They also help explain why public health organizations encourage testing.
But regional statistics cannot tell you your own home’s result.
For example, a regional report may show that a percentage of homes in a certain area tested above the guideline. That can be important information, but it does not account for the exact conditions in your home. Your foundation, soil contact, air movement, ventilation, and entry points are specific to your house.
This is why RadonPatrol avoids telling homeowners they are safe or unsafe based only on a map, neighbourhood, or neighbour’s result.
The only reliable way to know your home’s radon level is to test.
What Health Canada Recommends
Health Canada has established a Canadian radon guideline of 200 Bq/m³ for indoor air.
If a home’s long-term radon level is above 200 Bq/m³, Health Canada recommends taking action to reduce the level. Health Canada also explains that while the health risk below the guideline is smaller, there is no level considered completely risk-free.
For testing, Health Canada recommends long-term radon testing for a minimum of three months. A longer test gives a better estimate of the home’s average radon level because radon levels can change over time.
For Manitoba homeowners, this matters because a single day or short window may not give the clearest picture of average exposure.
What Manitoba Homeowners Should Do Next
The next step is simple: test your home.
Testing gives you real information about your specific house. Without testing, everything else is an estimate, assumption, or guess.
Some homeowners choose short-term testing when they need quicker information or a screening result. Others choose long-term testing when they want a better picture of their average radon exposure over time.
If the result is below Health Canada’s guideline, you have useful peace of mind. If the result is elevated, radon mitigation can usually reduce levels significantly.
RadonPatrol provides professional radon testing and mitigation services for Manitoba homeowners. Our goal is to make radon easier to understand, testing easier to complete, and next steps easier to decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is radon high in Manitoba?
Radon in Manitoba can be influenced by local soil, geology, foundation conditions, home construction, ventilation, and cold-weather indoor air movement. Some Manitoba regions have reported higher percentages of homes above Health Canada’s radon guideline.
Does every Manitoba home have high radon?
No. Not every Manitoba home has high radon. However, every home should be tested because radon levels can vary from house to house, even in the same neighbourhood.
Can I use a radon map to know my home’s level?
No. Radon maps and regional statistics are useful for awareness, but they cannot tell you the radon level inside your specific home. Testing is the only reliable way to know.
When should Manitoba homeowners test for radon?
Health Canada recommends testing for at least three months, ideally during the colder months when indoor radon levels are generally higher.
Want to Know Whether Your Manitoba Home Has Elevated Radon?
Want to know whether your Manitoba home has elevated radon? Contact RadonPatrol and we’ll help you understand the best testing option for your home.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Start with a radon test. From there, we will guide you through the right next step for your home.
