Unlocking the mystery surrounding radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, reveals a potential hazard lurking within our homes and workplaces that most of us are unaware of. Colourless, odourless, and tasteless, radon exists in most buildings across the UK and here we aim to shed some light on this little known pollutant. This article delves into five crucial aspects surrounding radon, exploring its nature, prevalence, detection, health implications, and strategies to combat exposure.
1) What is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that in its natural state is colourless, odourless, and tasteless. This makes it imperceptible to human senses, and individuals may not be aware of its presence without testing.It is formed by the decay of uranium, a radioactive element found in varying amounts in soil and rock. Radon can migrate from the ground into buildings, where it may accumulate to potentially harmful levels. It can affect buildings of all types but is often significantly more common in buildings with basements.
2) Where is Radon found?
Radon is present in most buildings in the UK but for the most part these levels are usually low and present little to no risk. Radon levels can vary geographically however, and certain areas may be more prone to elevated radon concentrations due to the local geology. Some parts of the country such as Devon and Cornwall, Bristol and surrounding areas in the West country, areas of Wales and Northern Ireland, Cumbria, the Cairngorms and parts of the Peak District are prone to higher concentration levels of radon. It is essential for property owners, especially in radon-prone regions, to test for radon regularly. If you want to check whether you are in a geographical area prone to Radon, you can order a report based on your address at the UK Health Security Agency website in the link below.
3) How do I know if Radon is an issue for my home?
Radon testing kits are available for use in homes and other structures.. Because radon is a potential health risk, individuals are encouraged to test their homes for radon regularly, especially in areas where elevated radon levels are more common. It is important to use a kit that will be tested in a validated laboratory. You can order accredited test kits at the UK Health Security Agency website in the link below.
4) Why is Radon dangerous?
Radon gas increases the risk of lung cancer if exposed to high levels over prolonged periods and smokers or individuals with pre-existing respiratory illnesses are at a higher level of risk from exposure. In fact, radon is the second highest cause of lung cancer after smoking and causes around 1,000 lung cancer deaths in the UK every year. Being colourless, odourless, and tasteless makes radon imperceptible to human senses, and individuals may not be aware of its presence without testing.
5) What can I do to combat Radon?
As radon is a gas, installing suitable, efficient and effective mechanical ventilation in our homes to disperse it is an excellent way to combat the problem. The use of continuous mechanical ventilation will ensure that the internal air is constantly being removed and replaced with fresh air, taking with it any build up of radon in the home. A centralised multi-room system such as an MVHR or MEV system will give the best protection for the whole home, but installing dMEV units in basements or other identified problem areas will also help to remove the gas before it can travel through your home and build up to problematic levels.