https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2015/03/20/five-facts-every-home-owner-should-know-about-radon/
This post was last checked and updated in August 2023.
You may not have heard of it, but radon is a part of your life – wherever you live. Read fivefacts home owners should know about radon, including how it can affect your home and your health.
1) Radon is a gas which can seep into our homes
Radon gas is created when natural radioactive uranium slowly decays in the ground under our homes and seeps to the surface. Because of the way we heat and ventilate our homes, some radon gets indoors through the floor. This is where we get most of our radon exposure.
2) In some parts of the country, homes are more likely to have high radon levels
Every building contains radon but the levels are usually low. In some parts of the country homes may have higher levels, and the chances of a higher level depend on the type of ground. For instance, levels may be higher in parts of the country rich in granite, such as Dartmoor in Devon and Cornwall.
3) It’s easy to test your home’s radon levels
Take a look at our radon maps, which are updated every 10 years, and if you live in an area likely to be affected by higher levels of radon, you can get your property tested. Testing is easy. You place a plastic detector about the size of a biscuit in your living room, another in your bedroom and leave them for three months. After that you post them off and your radon level is calculated. If the level is high you can takestepsto reduce radon levels in your home.
4) High radon levels in the home can be reduced
Although high levels of radon at home can be a problem the good news is they can be reduced by simple building works. Many people’s first thought is “how much is this going to cost me?” but there are a few options to choose from, depending on the style of your home and your radon level, ranging from a few pounds to several hundred pounds. Radon solutions include replacing or adding ventilation bricks in outside walls or installing a small pump in the loft that gently blows in air. Most remedies work for years and only need an occasional check. Watch the video below for more information.
5) If you have high levels of radon at home, you shouldtake action
If we breath in high levels of radon over long periods of time this exposure can lead to damage to the sensitive cells of our lungs which increases the risk of lung cancer. Radon causes about 1,000 lung cancer deaths in the UK every year. We also know that the combined risks of smoking and high radon exposure can really make a major difference to your chances of developing lung cancer. That’s why if you’ve got high radon at home and you smoke, it’s important you do something about it. Watch the video below to find our more about how radon can affect you.
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