Radon Awareness Month in Winnipeg: What Homeowners Need to Know in 2025

Written By Cheryl Hill

Every November, Winnipeg recognizes Radon Awareness Month, a reminder that Manitoba has some of the highest radon levels in Canada and that long-term exposure is the #1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.

In 2025, the City of Winnipeg launched one of the most accessible programs yet: free radon screening kits available through all Winnipeg Public Library branches, making it easier for homeowners to take the first step in understanding their indoor air quality. The only way to know if you are at risk is to test!
→ Source: City of Winnipeg Radon Screening Program

Combined with new national efforts to raise awareness, there has never been a better time to learn about radon, test your home, and understand your options if your levels come back high.

What is Radon and Why is Winnipeg at Higher Risk?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas created when uranium breaks down in soil and rock. It enters homes through cracks in the foundation, sump pits, floor drains, and gaps around pipes.

Manitoba, and Winnipeg in particular, has uranium-rich soils that produce higher concentrations of radon. This means:

  • Homes of any age can have unsafe levels

  • New builds with “rough-in” passive radon pipes aren’t automatically protected

  • Basement renovations create new questions about sealing and future-proofing

  • Even main floors can show elevated readings

Radon is invisible, odorless, and tasteless, which is why testing is the only way to know your home’s levels.

Why Testing Matters Most in Winter

Winter months are when Winnipeg homeowners face the highest risk because:

  • We seal our homes tightly for warmth

  • Less fresh air enters the home

  • Furnace use increases air circulation from the lower levels (where radon accumulates)

  • The "stack effect" pulls radon from the soil into your living space

This is why national health authorities and environmental agencies consistently use winter as the key testing period.

If you're going to test, the months between November and March give you the most accurate picture of your year-round exposure.

Free Radon Screening Kits: What Winnipeg Homeowners Should Know

Through Radon Awareness Month, the City of Winnipeg has introduced a program allowing you to borrow a short-term screening kit from any Winnipeg Public Library, similar to checking out a book.

These screening tests can help you understand whether further long-term testing is needed.

Good candidates for free screening kits include:

  • Homeowners curious about risk or hot-spot neighbourhoods

  • New build homeowners wondering about their passive mitigation pipe

  • Families who spend time in a basement bedroom or rec room

  • Anyone planning a renovation or finishing their basement

  • Homebuyers wanting an early read before a full test

Are Certain Winnipeg Homes at Higher Risk? Yes, but Everyone Should Test

Local data shows high radon levels across:

1. Older homes (1970–2000)

Cracks, shifting foundations, and basement rec rooms make these homes extremely vulnerable.

2. Homes undergoing basement renovations

New flooring, new framing, or new concrete can change airflow and open new radon pathways.

3. New builds (2010+)

Many have a “radon rough-in pipe,” but these are passive systems—they don’t remove radon unless a fan is installed.

4. Any home with a basement bedroom

Because radon settles low, lower-level living spaces carry the greatest exposure.

The bottom line: Your neighbour’s levels have nothing to do with yours. Two houses on the same street can have completely different results. The only way to know is to test.

What Happens if Your Radon Levels Come Back High?

If your results show levels above Health Canada’s guideline of 200 Bq/m³, mitigation is recommended.

A professional radon mitigation system:

  • Lowers your radon levels by 50–90%

  • Vents radon safely outside your home

  • Runs quietly and efficiently

  • Protects your family’s long-term health

  • Increases the value and safety of your home

Mitigation is especially straightforward, and more affordable, if your home already has a passive radon pipe installed.

How to Take Action During Radon Awareness Month

If you want to protect your home and family, here’s the simplest path:

Step 1 — Use the City’s Free Screening Kit (Optional)

Available at all Winnipeg Public Library locations.

Step 2 — Book a Long-Term Radon Test (Preferred)

Provide your address, neighbourhood, and timeline. A long-term test gives the most accurate reading.

Step 3 — Review Your Results With Radon86

We explain your numbers in plain language and help you understand next steps.

Step 4 — Get a Radon Mitigation Plan (If Needed)

If your levels are high, we’ll outline the right mitigation system for your home type.

Useful Resources for Winnipeg Homeowners

Here are trusted places to learn more:

Final Thoughts: Radon Awareness Month is the Perfect Time to Act

With rising radon levels, accessible government screening programs, and winter conditions that make testing more accurate, Winnipeg homeowners have a clear opportunity to prioritize their indoor air quality this month.

Whether you’re living in an older home, finishing a basement, or settling into a new build; Radon Awareness Month is the reminder we all need to test, understand our levels, and take action if required.

Your family spends thousands of hours inside your home every winter. Make sure the air you breathe is safe.

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Cheryl Hill
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