RADON

Radon gas is one of the most deadly and overlooked health risks today!*

• Fact: Radon can be found in nearly every home and can potentially build up to cancer causing levels with sustained exposure. In, Manitoba, 24% of homes have a higher than acceptable radon level, that is 1 in 4 homes
• Fact: Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer behind smoking.
• Fact: Radon is a naturally occurring bi-product from the decaying process of uranium found in rock and soils all over the globe.
• Fact: Radon is odorless, tasteless, colourless gas, that is undetectable without measuring tools.
• Fact: Radon dilutes very quickly in the open air, making it very easy to mitigate.
• Fact: Testing your home for radon is inexpensive.

---

What is radon?

It is a naturally occurring gas caused by the breakdown of the uranium found in soil and rock. The gas radiates up to the surface and dilutes very quickly to non-toxic levels in the air. However, when radon enters your home it can build up to dangerous levels to breathe.

Why radon is dangerous?

As the gas decays it breaks down to solid radioactive particles that after inhaled into the lungs can cause damage to DNA allowing cancer cells to develop. You don’t know you’re breathing it, because it is odorless, colourless and tasteless.

How radon gets into your Home?

The air pressure in a house is usually lower than the soil surrounding the foundation. This low-pressure difference draws in air and other gases such as radon into the building. Radon seeps in through foundation cracks, gaps in the floor, concrete, construction joints, support posts, window casements, floor drains, sumps or cavities inside walls, as well as water supply.

How do I know if my home is affected?

The good news is, testing your home is easy and inexpensive. There are several radon testing methods that can take from two days to one year to track radon levels. The most common method takes about three months to accurately track the range of exposure. A certified electronic monitor tester or collection device can be used to measure. If radon levels are found to exceed the 200 Becquerels per cubic metre (200 Bq/m3) from Canada’s Radon Guideline, a certified radon professional should be contacted to implement a plan for mitigation.

How to fix a radon problem

If your radon test result is above the guideline of 200 Bq/m3, you can take the following steps to help reduce the level of radon:

• Ventilate the basement sub-flooring by installing a small inline air pump to draw the radon from below the concrete slab to the outside before it enters the building (commonly known as Sub Slab Depressurisation typically performed by a contractor).
• Increase the mechanical ventilation, via a heat recovery ventilator (HRV), to allow an exchange of air.
• Seal all cracks and openings in foundation walls and floors, and around pipes and drains can also reduce the amount of gas entering the building.

---

Certified radon mitigation professionals

Radon Resource Links

Radon Test Kit Challenge
Radon Gas is in Your Home
* Radon gas is one the most deadly and overlooked health risks today - Lung Cancer Canada
Government of Canada Radon Guideline
Take Action Radon
Manitoba Government - Radon
Manitoba Lung Association
Canadian Cancer Society
World Health Organization
Health Canada – Radon

Get started, measure the radon in your home.

Contact us to set up a radon measuring unit to confirm the radon levels in your home are safe. If it’s discovered radon levels are dangerous, Winnipeg Home Services is certified and experienced at mitigating radon. We'll make your environment safe for the people in it and for your peace of mind.

Request Your Radon Kit Here

Contact us for more information on radon test kits

---