What Is Radon?
Ask a scientist and we would be here all day! But to keep it short, Radon is a radioactive gas that is created by the radioactive decay of uranium, which is naturally occurring in a lot of rocks and soils. Radon gas is colourless and odourless, so it’s not obvious if it’s there or not. Radioactivity is where unstable elements, like this naturally occurring uranium, thorium and radon break down. Energy is then released and different elements are formed as a result. The new elements might also be unstable, and so the process is repeated until a stable element is eventually formed. The energy this process gives off is called radiation.
Why Is Radon A Problem?
Well, because people and radiation generally don’t mix. The radioactive elements that are formed by the decay of radon can be easily breathed in and end up in our lungs. These elements are then absorbed by the lung tissues and cause damage, which can lead to lung cancer. There have been numerous studies on the effects of radon over the years, and all have shown that elevated exposure to radon increases your risk of lung cancer.
Here’s the thing though. Radon occurs naturally all over the UK in different concentrations. Normally the radon levels both indoors and outdoors are low, which means the risks to health are also low. However, there are areas of the UK where there are increased risks, especially if the radon gas can build up in poorly ventilated areas like basements and cellars.
You can look at maps on the UK Health Security Agency website and see which areas of the country have a greater chance of radon occurring – however not all buildings in those areas will be affected. Older homes are unlikely to have any specific radon protection measures in place to reduce the risk of radon entry, which means they are more of a risk than modern-built homes. This is why it’s so important to find out the levels of radon in your home or workplace.
Is Your Property Affected By Radon?
The simplest way to find out if your home or prospective home is at risk of being affected by radon is by doing a search on the UK Health Security Agency’s Website. This is a free search that anyone can do, but the downside is that it’s only area specific. So it will tell you the probability of the property being in an area that’s above the Action Level, but nothing more than that.
If you want a property specific report, then you will need to pay a small fee to the website to gain access. If you’re buying the property then this may come included in the property searches your conveyancer does, so make sure that you check so you aren’t paying twice! If the report comes back saying that the property is in an affected area, then your next action should be having the radon levels measured.
This is done by using a simple detector, which you should only get from a validated UKHSA laboratory. If they are detecting levels in a home, then they will usually tell you to leave the detectors in place in a few different rooms for three months, allowing them to read the variation of radon levels over time and between rooms. The detectors are then posted to the laboratory for analysis. Home and workplace measurement packs are available from the UKHSA.
The UKHSA also recommend that all basements that are used for more than 50 hours per year should be monitored, regardless of the potential for radon.
What Can Be Done About It?
The good news is, most radon comes from the ground, which means there is an obvious and simple place to focus all of your remediation efforts. Normal remediation efforts for radon include sealing around hatches, large openings and providing extra ventilation where possible. Depending on the levels, you may also need to add in other measures, like physical radon barriers, radon sumps and positive ventilation systems for floor voids and cellars.
The method and cost of any remedial works all depend on the type of construction used for the house, the size of the building, its use and the relative risk of radon. For example, installing physical sheet barriers is unlikely to be an economic option in most homes!
If you’re looking at buying a property and are worried that radon could be a problem, then it’s best to seek professional advice early on. At Harrison Clarke we can provide a full survey service that provides you with a better idea of what you’re dealing with, as well as an experienced surveyor to talk you through the process and your options. If you would like to know more, give us a call on 02381 550 051.
We also have a range of videos talking through various aspects of the surveying. You can access them via our website or our YouTube channel.
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