20 November 2008
Why do we need to know about Radon?
Radon is a natural radioactive gas, which has no taste, smell or colour. It originates from the radioactive decay of uranium, which is found on small quantities in all rock and soil. It disperses quickly in the air, but can seep into homes.
If Radon is inhaled, particles are deposited in the lungs. This can lead to an increased risk of lung cancer – but there are steps we can take to reduce this risk if we live in a ‘Radon affected area’. There are a number of these areas in the Sevenoaks District.
What is a ‘Radon affected area’?
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has carried out tests for Radon across the country. The results were fed into a computer model to predict the likelihood of properties exceeding the Government’s ‘Action Level’. This is a level above which the Government has advised that action should be taken to reduce the risk to our health.
A ‘Radon Affected areas’ is declared where more than one in every 100 houses (or 1%) in an area is projected to contain Radon above the ‘action level’.
In 1996 the NRPB published a ‘Radon Atlas of England’ revised in 2002, which identified various affected areas, including some in the Sevenoaks District. Three parts of Kent are including some in Kent. On the 12th November 2007 a new indicative atlas of affected areas was published by the HPA. Some areas of Sevenoaks District Council are no longer affected, some remain affected and some new areas have been designated.
How many properties may be affected? The HPA predicts that in some areas between one and five in every 100 properties within the affected areas may have radon levels within them.
Radon levels are affected by several factors:
What about testing for Radon?
Radon cannot be seen or smelt. Its presence can only be detected by scientific testing. The Government recommends that people in affected areas test their houses. Test kits cost about £40 and can be bought from the HPA. The test take about three months to complete.
What steps can I take to reduce the possible risk?
The Government recommends that properties found to have levels exceeding the ‘action level’ should have work carried out to prevent the entry of Radon gas. This can involved:
The HPA estimates that treating an average property will cost between £500 and £1,500. Some properties in the areas may be much larger that the average home and would therefore cost more to treat.
Where can I go for further advice?
Contact the HPA’s freephone advice line on 0800 614529 for a free information pack and details of how to order a test. Alternatively visit the Radon section in the HPA website for further information. You can also gain further information from the website www.ukradon.org.
