Radon – identifying risks, protecting people

Radon is a radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium that occurs in all rocks and soils. It seeps into buildings from the ground and can build up to high levels in some buildings depending on their construction and level of heating and use. As radon is colourless and odourless, special monitors are needed to detect it.

It is estimated from recent studies that between 1,000 and 2,000 cases of lung cancer are caused by indoor radon in the UK each year. The risk for smokers is particularly high.

Parts of England and Wales with highest levels of radon are designated by HPA as radon Affected Areas, as shown in figure 1, where HPA advises occupiers to test for radon. The figure provides only a guide to radon potential because full information for the whole country is too detailed to print. The Affected Area status for an individual address with a valid postcode can be obtained for a small fee (£3 plus VAT) from a dedicated website (UKradon.org) which now also covers Scotland. Users should note, however, that the website search is only suitable for premises with any dimension less than about 25m – advice about larger and more complex property holdings is also available, see below.*

The HPA helps to reduce population risks from radon by advising on radon survey programmes for many organisations, including those with large property holdings, whether residential or occupational. The website provides the information managers need to develop an appropriate measurement plan for radon. The article from the Health and Safety Executive which follows this article provides information for employers about how to deal with radon.
Tests are conducted with small, passive monitors that are sent by post and left in place for three months. Two monitors are normally used in homes but more are required for large buildings. Monitors are available from the website above, with detailed guidance on placement. Results are reported in relation to the relevant action level so property managers can assess risks and set priorities for action. In most cases, radon levels will be low so tests can reassure occupants despite being in an Affected Area.

The highest radon levels occur in South West England, Derbyshire and Yorkshire, but pockets of radon also occur in many other parts of the country, so some organisations will require multiple searches. The website allows users to set up an account to conduct multiple or sporadic searches. For organisations with many properties to check, however, this may not be the most effective approach. In such cases, HPA can work from a full address and postcode list to provide a comprehensive report that enables managers to optimise their test programme for the types of property concerned.

Special offer
As an introduction to the HPA radon website UKradon.org, the special offer voucher code EST0509 can be entered on the website up until the end of August 2009 to get fifteen searches conducted at any one time, and only pay for ten.

For more information
Advice on radon levels, risks and their management is available from the Radon team at HPA, 01235 822792
or on the website radon.org.