What is Radon?
A look into the world of radon gas
What exactly IS radon?
Radon (pronounced "ray-don") is the 86th element on the periodic table, and it is formed from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water.
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Radon is a completely colorless, odorless and tasteless radioactive gas. When exposed to the atmosphere, radon gas breaks down into harmful radioactive elements that can cause damage to your lung tissue if inhaled at high volumes, which can lead to lung cancer.
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Radon dilutes quickly, making it little to no threat outdoors. But if radon gas is allowed to build up in big quantities in an enclosed space, such as a building for example, it can accumulate into radiation levels that are harmful to humans to inhale.
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Radon exists in most, if not all buildings, but is only harmful above certain thresholds. So it is important to get the radon levels in your home tested to make sure you are not at risk of high radon gas buildup.
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How is radon gas entering my home?
When radon gas is created from the breakdown of uranium in the soil underground, it pushes it's way up to the surface through cracks and openings in the soil.
Radon can typically enter your home through:
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Cracks in floors or walls
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Gaps in the foundation
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Sump pits or crawl spaces
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Construction joints
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Because radon comes from the ground, any home can have elevated levels—new or old, sealed or drafty, with or without a basement.​​​​​
How can I protect myself against radon gas?
The safest way to safeguard yourself from harmful radon gas buildup is to get your property tested to ensure no buildup is present, or install a radon mitigation system in your home.
Radon mitigation systems are designed to reduce indoor radon levels by:
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Venting radon gas safely outside
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Sealing entry points
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Creating a controlled pressure system beneath the home
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Improving airflow and reducing radon concentration
A properly installed mitigation system can lower radon levels by up to 99%, helping keep families safe.
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You can visit the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists' website to learn how you can educate yourself further on radon:
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https://carst.ca/RadonAwarenessIdeas
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You can also read the Made-In-Manitoba Radon Action Plan on the right to learn more about the effects of radon and it's history in Manitoba.
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Finally, the Take Action on Radon website contains a lot of valuable resources for radon in Canada, consider visiting it if you would like more information on radon in your province.
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