RADON Testing!!

[tufftie]

when I first moved to Cornwall back in the early nineties I had to have a test done. It's because of the concentrations of radon in the granite. It's easy to deal with, as far as houses go, so not a real problem.

[Phoebe]

Thanks for all your replies and info.

I am having some work done to the house at the moment so had to send the testers back as they are not to be used during major works. They will be sending them out again when the works are done.

My concern is that since I have been living here I have been unwell and my boyfriend also has been unwell even though he only stays a few times. I have lost two dogs to cancer in the last 3 years.
I have read up on it in the last day or so and feel that there is a lot of info being kept secret . The testers cost £40 and I think it is worth it to get the results.

Does anyone know if it can make you feel unwell whilst living with it? Even short term exposure in a high risk area must surely be affecting us?

Phoebe

[Phoebe]

Originally Posted by Duke of York

When all new houses are being built you have to check to see if there is a risk for radon gas.

Most times if there is a risk all you have to do for new houses is provide a suitable polythene sheet within the ground floor which has to be sealed around any openings. If the risk is high then you have to have a fully ventilated void beneath the ground floor as well.

If you need radon protection for an existing house, this gives you the ways of doing it:-

Radon Centres Ltd - Radon Gas Testing

For new houses at least there is something that can be done. I however, live in a 17th century cottage with quarry tiled floors; beneath the tiles it is just soil In those days foundations were not laid as they are today. This brings me major concerns as to what could be done if the tests show a high risk!

On the Defa website there is a map of the UK showing concentration areas but the map doesn't show towns and counties so you have to work out roughly where they are.

I would be interested in anyone elses opinion who lives in a very old property.

Phoebe

[Duke of York]

See if this map is any better (it is a pdf file so I hope you have adobe installed)

http://www.bre.co.uk/radon/Maps/BR211_Map14.pdf

Also if you refer to that website I've given it tells you how you can reduce radon even with a solid concrete floor

[Phoebe]

Originally Posted by Duke of York

See if this map is any better (it is a pdf file so I hope you have adobe installed)

http://www.bre.co.uk/radon/Maps/BR211_Map14.pdf

Also if you refer to that website I've given it tells you how you can reduce radon even with a solid concrete floor

Very good map Duke! Where did that come from? I would like to check other areas of the UK particularly Cumbria.

It looks on there that I may just be in the basic protection range but I'll know in 3 months time when the test is done. But I read on one site that the levels can change from one house to the next The more tests done the better

Phoebe

[Duke of York]

If you want to check maps for anywhere in the country if you look at the links at the bottom of this page

BRE radon advice - RADON MAPS

[cutecoot]

Just recently bought my own place in Northampton and was a bit concerned when I had the survey carried out and it came back saying the levels of Radon were higher than the norm - but then I decided not to worry about it seeing as it seems to affect the whole of Northampton, as it does many other areas of the UK .. and as someone already mentioned, it is used in the *treatment* of cancer, so who knows whether high levels would have an adverse effect on health or not?

[The Woodman]

I understand your concern Phoebe. I live in a level 3 protected zone as illustrated in map 17 (Cumbria) and approximately 5 years ago had to run a radon test as did several of the properties in the village. The tester was duly sent back after six months in it's plastic bag and I never heard another word - in fact I'd forgotten about it until I saw this post.
In that map, the areas needing the highest level of protection the majority are on limestone substrate.
Our house was built in the 1970's and has a suspended floor with ample ventilation via airbricks to the underfloor storage areas - so ample that a good easterly can raise the flooring in the bathroom! I don't know if radon was considered when this small development was built as next door sits solidly on the ground.
I've never heard radon being discussed by anyone yet reading the websites, there is so much published information I feel there must be concern.

I would also doubt the need to withold information by the authorities and cannot see why this should be done. There appears to be good quality info on the websites and affordable methods to check your levels of radon to give you peace of mind.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Phoebe

Does anyone know if it can make you feel unwell whilst living with it? Even short term exposure in a high risk area must surely be affecting us?

I wouldn't think you would feel unwell quickly, Phoebe.

The danger from radon is that it's inhaled as a gas, which decays into the solid polonium. The high energy particles that are 'spat out' by the polonium as it in turn decays, can cause damage to cell DNA, possibly causing the cell to become cancerous.

Jim

[Geoff F]

Where I live, on the tip of S. Devon, we all had free Radon tests about 15 years ago. My house was twice the national average but half the danger level while my neighbours property was a long way over the danger level.

But he said, 'We are both in our seventies now and have raised 2 healthy children in the house so we aren't going to waste money now'.

In theory, for what that's worth, it is a lot more hazardous if you are a smoker, as others have mentioned.

I think that, especially as I have always been a non smoker, if I had another radon test I would wrap the device in lead so as to get a negative reading and increase the house value!