Environmental Issues
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May 1998
New Radon Scare
A new study was released by the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, which suggests that people who spent most of their lives in homes with high radon levels have a 20 percent greater risk of developing cancer than those exposed to average levels. Further, the study argues that smokers are particularly at risk because the two factors combine with deadly effect.
The study findings are of particular concern to the 100,000 households who live in areas where radon exposure exceeds the official UK Action Level, above which households are advised to take measures to reduce radon levels. Most of these homes are in Cornwall, Devon and parts of Somerset but high levels are also recorded in parts of Derbyshire, Northamptonshire and in isolated areas of Scotland and Wales.
Radon is a colourless and odourless gas which is produced during the decay of small amounts of uranium in rock, particularly in granite. When it escapes into the air it can become trapped in enclosed spaces, particularly in homes with double glazing and draught-proofing.
Breathing in higher levels of radon over a prolonged period is considered to be a particular risk factor. Whilst the risk involved is considered to be small, the advice is to take simple measures if radon levels are above the recommended levels. Common measures include simple pumping systems installed under the floor of homes and seals that stop radon seepage into a dwelling.
People living in radon-affected areas can request free measurement of the levels in their home by contacting the National Radiological Protection Board Helpline on 0800 614 529.
June 1998
Radon Areas in Wales Extended
The Welsh Office announced that it is to continue its programme of identifying homes in parts of Wales where radon levels might be a health risk.
Following a recent report from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), which led to additional areas of Wales being designated as radon-affected, the Government's programme was extended to identify the proportion of homes in a wider area that had radon concentrations above Government recommended levels.
NRPB's initial survey work focused on parts of Wales which were expected, because of underlying geology, to be susceptible to radon. They were Pembrokeshire and parts of Flintshire, Denbighshire, Wrexham, Ynys Mon and Powys. These were subsequently designated as radon-affected areas when an interim report was published in 1996.
This latest survey adds further areas to the designated list, being Monmouthshire, Vale of Glamorgan, Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire, Gwynedd and Conwy, as well as parts of Cardiff, Bridgend, Swansea, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Merthyr Tydfil and Newport, together with those parts of Powys, Wrexham and Ynys Mon not previously designated.
It was estimated that 10,000 homes are affected in Wales, being less than 1% of the total housing stock. In targeted areas, householders are to be sent letters offering them a free radon level test, which involves keeping two small detectors for three months in their homes. The Welsh Office publishes advice on remedial measures available, which can be installed at a reasonable cost. In some circumstances, local authority grants may be available to carry out necessary works.
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