Radon Testing in Winnipeg
Radon has no colour, odour, or taste. Testing is the only way to know the radon level in a home, and the length and placement of the test matter.
How long should you test?
Health Canada recommends a long-term radon test for at least three months. Its current residential measurement guide defines a long-term test as one lasting at least 91 days and recommends using the long-term average when comparing your home with the Canadian guideline of 200 Bq/m³.
Radon levels can vary from hour to hour and season to season. A short-term monitor can be useful for screening or learning how levels change, but a short snapshot should not be treated as equivalent to the long-term average used to make a mitigation decision.
Where should the test go?
- Use a room on the lowest lived-in level of the home, such as a bedroom, office, playroom, or living area.
- Keep the device in a location where it will not be moved during the measurement period.
- Keep it away from windows, doors, vents, and other locations where unusual airflow can affect the reading.
- Follow the placement instructions supplied with the specific test device.
Winnipeg Public Library screening kits
Winnipeg Public Library offers electronic radon screening kits for a three-week loan between November 1 and April 30. The City describes these as short-term screening devices and specifically notes that they do not replace Health Canada’s recommended long-term test.
If a screening result concerns you, the next useful step is to compare it with the long-term testing guidance rather than assuming that a few days of data represents the home’s annual average.
Have a result above 200 Bq/m³?
See how Health Canada’s guideline applies, when a longer test may be appropriate, and when to start discussing mitigation.
Official testing resources
Independent resource: Winnipeg Radon Help provides general educational information and a way to request local assistance. It is not itself a radon testing or mitigation contractor, medical provider, government agency, or emergency service. For testing and mitigation, Health Canada recommends using appropriately qualified professionals, including C-NRPP-certified radon professionals.