RADON Testing!!

[Phoebe]

I have received a Radon Test Kit for my home from my council Has anyone else had a Radon Test done in their home?

Phoebe

[nutmeg]

A few years ago I lived in North Devon and we had a radon detector in the house - can't remember how long for or much else though.

[Phoebe]

I am really concerned about this! I have seen a map of the Radon affected areas and it looks like I could be right in the middle of a seriously high area. I also noticed Cornwall was a very heavy area too and a lot of Devon. It seems to be in rocky areas.

[RogerTheCat]

I live in Devon and it is here caused I believe by the granite rock. I do not know how or why. When I moved to Devon it was mentioned on the surveyors report for the house that I bought to have a Radon check. When I spoke to the Estate Agent about doing this they were very dismissive as was everyone else I asked. I got the impression that although the gas in dangerous no one ever gets effected by it. Also as it is a heavy gas if you do get a build up it will happen in low areas of the property. The advice is was given was to open your windows once in a while and if there is a build up it will get blown away.

I also had a quick look on the internet and did find this BBC news article
BBC NEWS | Health | Radon gas action needed across UK

and this which seems to explain about the gas

HPA - Radon

[nightshade]

Radon tends to accumulate in still air places, like cellars or sumps well ventilated areas are least at risk.

[tcvarlh]

According to the EU, and the USA Surgeon General, Radon is the second major cause of Lung Cancer worldwide. Have a read of the wiki site. Smokers in a Radon heavy area should watch out. Opening the windows isn't bad advice but as Radon is radioactive and volatile it will dissipate anyway if the room is 'aired' often.
The odd thing is radon chloride is used in the treatment of cancer. ''One man's meat is another's poison''

[poschiavanus]

Professor Denis Henshaw at Bristol has been involved in Radon surveys and detection for many years: here's a link to an old article and interview on the BBC.

Radon gas is heavier than air so tends to accumulate in corners of old houses, particularly those built over or with radon emitting rocks (usually granite). Prolonged exposure to high concentrations is definitely a bad thing. As previous poster says airing is a simple remedy.

AFAIK the main problem areas are areas with granite: various places in the West Country, and (I think) Anglesey.

If you go to Bad Gastein in Austria I think you can still take Radon baths as a health cure! I also seem to remember that even the town water supply has a pretty high level of radon.

Here's a useful quote from a statement made to the Seanad in Ireland:

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in variable amounts in rocks and soil. When it surfaces in the open air, it is quickly diluted. However, where it enters an enclosed space, such as an ordinary building, it can, under certain circumstances accumulate to reach unacceptably high concentration levels. Ireland’s unique geology, while providing us with a beautiful and rich landscape, gives rise to radon levels that are above the international average. Ireland has the sixth highest radon levels in the world. The average indoor radon concentration in Ireland, is 89 Becquerels per cubic metre, Bq/m3, compared to just 20 Bq/m3 in the UK and a European average of 59 Bq/m3.

Radon is a known carcinogen. Long-term exposure to high radon levels presents a direct risk to human health. This makes radon a public health issue. Naturally occurring radon gas concentrations have been found to contribute to the incidence of lung cancer. The RPII estimates that 150-200 annual lung cancer deaths in Ireland are linked to radon, around 10% to 15% of all such deaths. Epidemiological studies tells us that for smokers, or former smokers, the risk from radon can be up to 25 times greater than for people who never smoked.

I suspect the health risks from Radon exposure, even in the most affected areas, are much less than those of driving a car.

posch

[nightshade]

I think that stone buildings are usually drilled and fitted with ventilator bricks or a ceramic tubes (which also helps dry out damp) this lets the Radon escape

[tcvarlh]

Originally Posted by poschiavanus

If you go to Bad Gastein in Austria I think you can still take Radon baths as a health cure! I also seem to remember that even the town water supply has a pretty high level of radon.

Stimmt! Yep, you still can, tho' what real good it'll do you I don't know! The water is ground water and therefore the Radon hasn't dissipated, in standing open water there is virtually no Radon.

[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