Updated November 2026 · Data: Health Canada Cross-Canada Survey of Radon Concentrations in Homes (2012), 2024 Cross-Canada Survey · Sources
In Health Canada’s national radon survey, 23.7% of homes tested in Manitoba were above the Canadian guideline of 200 Bq/m³, and 2.6% were above 600 Bq/m³. Weighted by population, Health Canada estimated that 19.4% of people in Manitoba lived in homes above 200 Bq/m³ (national figure: 6.9%). The 2024 Cross-Canada survey, which found radon levels rising across the country, estimates high radon in the Prairies and Northwest Territories: about one in five homes.
Regional results are not your home’s level. Neighbouring homes can have very different radon levels. The only way to know yours is a long-term test.
Radon by health region in Manitoba
| Health region | Homes tested | Above 200 Bq/m³ | Above 600 Bq/m³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winnipeg Regional Health Authority | 66 | 12.1% | 0.0% |
| Brandon Regional Health Authority | 79 | 44.3% | 3.8% |
| North Eastman Regional Health Authority | 100 | 21.0% | 1.0% |
| South Eastman Regional Health Authority | 113 | 9.7% | 0.0% |
| Interlake Regional Health Authority | 121 | 24.8% | 0.0% |
| Central Regional Health Authority | 108 | 42.6% | 7.4% |
| Assiniboine Regional Health Authority | 110 | 34.5% | 1.8% |
| Parkland Regional Health Authority | 122 | 43.4% | 11.5% |
| Nor-Man Regional Health Authority | 212 | 12.3% | 0.5% |
| Burntwood/Churchill | 152 | 7.9% | 0.7% |
Highest shares above 200 Bq/m³: Brandon Regional Health Authority (44.3%), Parkland Regional Health Authority (43.4%), Central Regional Health Authority (42.6%).
Radon test results by community in Manitoba
The 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge, run by Take Action on Radon (a Health Canada-funded initiative), gives communities long-term 91-day alpha track tests and publishes a report for each one. These are recent results, mostly from 2019 to 2026, and are a useful local snapshot, but each is based on a limited number of volunteer homes.
| Community | Homes tested | Above 200 Bq/m³ | Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon | 75 | 37% | |
| City of Dauphin | 139 | 92% | |
| East St. Paul | 89 | 17% | |
| Neepawa | 69 | 55% | |
| Pinawa | 50 | 58% | |
| Portage la Prairie | 79 | 48% | |
| RM of Dauphin | 87 | 71% | |
| RM of Hanover | 70 | 24% | |
| RM of Harrison Park | 55 | 78% | |
| RM of Lakeshore | 50 | 48% | |
| RM of Macdonald | 76 | 37% | |
| RM of Rockwood | 88 | 41% | |
| RM of Yellowhead | 77 | 70% | |
| Silver Harbour | 37 | 46% | |
| Souris | 100 | 48% | |
| Stonewall | 92 | 63% | |
| Winnipeg | 90 | 30% |
Highest shares above the guideline (40+ homes tested): City of Dauphin (92%), RM of Harrison Park (78%), RM of Dauphin (71%).
How to test your home
- Health Canada recommends a long-term test of at least 91 days, with at least 91 days during the heating season (fall and winter), when radon levels are usually highest.
- Test the lowest level of the home where someone spends at least four hours a day.
- Long-term test kits are sold by hardware stores, online and by some health units and lung associations.
If your level is above 200 Bq/m³
The Canadian guideline is 200 Bq/m³ (about 5.4 pCi/L; the U.S. EPA action level of 4 pCi/L is about 148 Bq/m³). If your result is above 200 Bq/m³, Health Canada recommends taking corrective action to lower the level within one year, and hiring a professional certified by the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP). The most common fix is sub-slab depressurization: a pipe and fan draw radon from under the foundation and vent it outside.
Frequently asked questions
Is radon a problem in Manitoba?
Yes. In Health Canada’s survey, 23.7% of homes tested in Manitoba were above 200 Bq/m³, and the 2024 Cross-Canada survey found radon levels rising nationally. Any home can have high radon, so testing is the only way to know.
What is the radon guideline in Canada?
200 Bq/m³ in the normal occupancy area of a home. If a long-term test is above that, Health Canada recommends fixing the home within one year.
How do I test for radon in Manitoba?
Use a long-term test kit for at least 91 days during the heating season, placed in the lowest lived-in level. If the result is above 200 Bq/m³, hire a C-NRPP certified professional.
Compare all provinces and territories: Radon in Canada.
Sources
- Take Action on Radon: 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge community reports (retrieved November 2026)
- Health Canada: Cross-Canada Survey of Radon Concentrations in Homes, Final Report (2012), Tables 1, 2, 3 and 5
- University of Calgary: 2024 Cross-Canada radon survey news release (October 23, 2024)
- Health Canada: Government of Canada Radon Guideline
- Health Canada: Guide for Radon Measurements in Residential Dwellings
- C-NRPP