Do I Need To Radon Test in Winnipeg?

You may be asking yourself: what is radon, and do I really need to test my Winnipeg home for it?

What Is Radon?

Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that is caused by the breakdown of rock and soil. Radon levels are higher in soils that are rich in uranium, which is why homes in Winnipeg and Manitoba are more at-risk than many other regions in the country. In Manitoba, 1 in 4 homes have higher than acceptable radon levels.

Radon gas isn’t dangerous if it’s drawn into the air in the great outdoors, but it can be dangerous for human health if it is drawn into an enclosed space like a basement. Radon enters buildings through cracks and gaps in the building structure such as foundational cracks and gaps around service pipes.

How Can Radon Affect My Health?

People didn’t know much about radon or how it could be dangerous to human health before the 1970s, when scientists noticed much higher rates of lung cancer in miners. Long-term exposure to radon in enclosed spaces (like the inside of your Winnipeg home) can increase your risk of lung cancer. For tobacco smokers, the risk is even higher.

Health Canada and the Cancer Society of Manitoba urge all Manitobans to get their homes tested for radon, especially tobacco smokers.

Should I Get My Winnipeg Home Tested For Radon?

All Canadians should get radon testing, but people in Winnipeg and Manitoba especially. Old or new, your Winnipeg home rests in soil that naturally produces radon gas and it’s still important to get your home tested. There is no such thing as a radon-free region in Canada or a radon-free home, even if your home is equipped with a radon mitigation pipe.

To book a radon test with Radon86, click here. With radon testing kits, custom installation, and tailored radon mitigation services, our trained technicians provide Winnipeg’s most dependable and reliable service.