What is radon ?

Radon is a colourless, odourless radioactive gas. It comes from the radioactive decay of radium, which in turn comes from the radioactive decay of uranium which is found in small quantities in all soils and rocks. Radon levels vary not only between different parts of the country but even between neighbouring buildings.
Radon in the soil and rocks mixes with air and rises to the surface where it is quickly diluted in the atmosphere. Concentrations in the open air are very low. However radon that enters enclosed spaces, such as buildings, can in certain circumstances reach relatively high concentrations.
Derbyshire Dales District Council has been designated a radon affected area.  This means that the buildings in the area have a greater than 1% chance of having a level of radon which is higher than the action level set by government of 200Bq/M3. 

What is the problem?

Radon is the biggest contribution to radiation exposure of the UK population and it can be dangerous.  When radon decays it forms tiny radioactive particles that may be breathed into the lungs. Radiation from these particles can cause lung cancer that may take many years to develop. The lung cancer radon causes proceeds in exactly the same way as cancer caused by smoking. In addition, smoking and exposure to radon are known to work together to greatly increase the risk of developing lung cancer.

It should be emphasised that when the radon concentration is high, it does pose a serious risk to your health.

Is your property affected?

The only way of establishing whether a house has a radon problem is by monitoring the premises. If you are in the process of buying, ask the seller whether the house has been tested. If it has been tested they should be able show you written evidence of the results, indicating whether it is above or below the recommended action level of 200Bq/m3.  If you already own the premises and have not had a radon test done before then it will be necessary to carry out a test which will provide an average annual level for the property.  The tests cost £37.37 inc VAT and are available from the Health Protection Agency, (see the link below).  If that level is at or above 200 Bq/m3 then steps should be taken to reduce the level.  This action is dependant upon how much the action level is exceeded by and the type and construction of the property.

Action in the Dales

Some people are alarmed when they receive details that their premises has an elevated level of radon and are unsure of what steps to take next. The District Council has recognised for many years that residents within the Dales need support in dealing with radon in their homes and so we are able to offer specific advice and in some cases make advisory visits to homes to give step by step guidance on what action to take to reduce the level.  Our work in this area over many years has shown that taking a staged approach to reducing levels is a positive way forward and one that many homeowners greatly appreciate.
 
Please contact the environmental health department on 01629 721212 for more information.

The following links will be able to provide national guidance on radon issues regarding radon in your home, buying and selling properties in a radon affected area, methods of remediation and arranging a radon test.

Health Protection Agency | Radiation Protection Division
Defra, UK - Environmental Protection - Radioactivity - Radon
BRE: Air quality


Radon in the Workplace

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSW Act) the employer has a duty of care to ensure the health and safety of employees and others who have access to the working environment. Protection from exposure to radon at work is specified in the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR99), made under the HSW Act.

The action level for exposure to radon in the workplace is currently set at 400Bq/m3.  This means that where a level of 400Bq/m3 or higher is present in a workplace then steps must be taken to reduce the level to as low as possible and in any event to below the workplace action level.  The District Council has included enforcement action to deal with radon in the workplace in its corporate plan because of the importance of this work in the Dales area.

As an employer there are basic steps that can be taken to address the problem.   A risk assessment needs to be carried out to determine the likelihood of the workplace having an elevated level. The most effective way of doing this is to carry out radon monitoring to determine the exact level of radon in the premises. If the results indicate an elevated level then remedial action will be needed and in most cases this will involve carrying out minor building works to reduce the radon to an acceptable level.

To assist employers, BRE have prepared a guide for the Health and Safety Executive which describes how to measure radon levels in workplaces and the practical cost effective methods that are available for reducing radon levels in workplace buildings.

Further advice on measurement and technical solutions for dealing with radon in the workplace is contained in BRE Report BR 293 Radon in the workplace

BRE Report BR 293 can be purchased from BREbookshop.com

For additional information on radon in the workplace please contact the Commercial team of the Environmental Health section on 01629 761212 or follow the link to the Health and Safety Executive website.