What is Radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas found naturally in the environment. It is released from the ground into the air during the natural breakdown of uranium in rocks and soil. It has no colour, odour or taste. When radon is released into the outdoor air, it is diluted and is not a concern. However, in enclosed spaces, like homes, it can accumulate to high levels and become a risk to the health of you and your family.

Radon gas breaks down to form radioactive elements in the air we breathe. In the lungs, radon continues to breakdown, creating radioactive particles that release small bursts of energy which can damage lung cells. When cells are damaged, they have the potential to cause cancer. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon can increase your risk of lung cancer.

Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Exposure to high levels of radon in indoor air results in an increased risk of developing lung cancer. The risk of cancer depends on the level of radon and how long a person is exposed to those levels.

How Radon Gets into Your Home

Radon can find its way into your home through any opening where the house contacts the ground like cracks in the foundation floor or walls, construction joints, gaps around service pipes, support posts, window casements, floor drains, sumps or cavities inside walls. Since the air pressure is typically lower in your home than the surrounding soil, air and other gases, like radon, can be drawn in from the soil.

Radon, which comes from uranium, is very common and can therefore be found in almost all homes in Canada in varying concentrations. Higher levels of radon have been identified in Stonewall, so it is recommended that you get your home tested to protect your family’s health.

2025- 2026 Take Action on Radon Test Program

During the winter of 2025-2026, 92 homes participated in the Town of Stonewall’s 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge through the Take Action on Radon Program, using 91-day alpha track tests, which represents approximately 3% of dwellings. Of the homes tested, 63% tested above Health Canada’s 200 Bq/m³ guideline. You can see the results in the Take Action on Radon Community Report for Stonewall.

Got Radon? Next Steps...

If you’ve tested for radon and your results are above the Canadian Guideline of 200 Bq/m³, it is important to take action to reduce the level of radon in your home. The higher the radon concentrations, the sooner you should take action to reduce radon levels and limit continued exposure.

• The most effective method is sub-slab depressurization, where radon gas is safely vented to your home’s exterior via a pipe running from a basement or foundation. The pipe is fitted by a radon mitigation professional, making this option the most expensive, but can reduce radon levels by 90 per cent or more. Find out if you qualify for financial assistance offered by Manitoba Hydro or Lungs Matter.
• Caulk cracks and holes in basement floors and walls, and seal around pipes and drains, to prevent radon from getting into your home.
• Install specially designed traps in floor drains to prevent radon from entering the basement.
• Increase ventilation/air turnover by opening windows (as weather conditions allow) or increasing mechanical ventilation via a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) to allow air exchanges. This is not as reliable as sub-slab depressurization but can still help reduce radon levels.

Lowering radon levels in your home requires specific technical knowledge and skills. Be sure to hire an experienced, reputable contractor to mitigate radon in your home. Contact the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP) at 1-855-722-6777 or search for a list of certified service providers in your area.

How Do I Test My Home for Radon?

Contact the Stonewall Branch of the South Interlake Regional Library for information on their Radon Monitor Lending Program: 

Branch Librarian: Tara Glaspey | Email tara@sirlibrary.com | PH: 204-467-8415

OR
visit https://takeactiononradon.ca/test-for-radon/ to find a list of companies who sell approved radon detectors

Where Can I Learn More?

Visit the Health Canada Web site canada.ca/radon or call 1-866-225-0709, TTY – 1-800 465-7735 for more information on how to reduce your exposure to radon.