Radon gas is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that poses significant health risks, yet it remains largely invisible and odorless. Formed from the decay of uranium in soil, rock, and water, radon can seep into homes and accumulate to dangerous levels. Understanding the risks and taking preventative steps are essential for homeowners to ensure the safety of their households.
What is radon gas?
Radon is a colourless, tasteless, and odourless gas. It originates from the natural breakdown of uranium in the earth and can move through the ground to the air above, finding its way into homes through cracks in foundations, construction joints, or even through well water.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) identifies radon as a leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Long-term exposure to elevated radon levels significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer, making radon testing and mitigation a critical concern for homeowners.
How does radon enter your home?
Radon typically enters through:
- Cracks in solid floors and walls
- Construction joints
- Gaps around service pipes
- Cavities inside walls
- Sump pumps and drains
- Water supplies from underground sources
Because radon comes from the ground, homes built over soil with high uranium content are at greater risk. However, any home – old or new, with or without basements – can have radon issues.
What are safe radon levels?
The UKHSA recommends action if radon levels in your home exceed 200 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m³). However, even lower levels can pose health risks, and it is advisable to reduce radon levels as much as possible.
What are the radon levels at King’s Meadow, Fernwood by Allison Homes?
According to the UK Health Security Agency’s radon map, the maximum raton potential in a 1-kilometer grid for the estate is between 3% and 5%.
The UKHSA defines radon affected areas as those with 1% chance or more of a house having a radon concentration at or above the Action Level of 200 Bq m-3.
The darker the colour the greater the chance of a higher level. The chance is less than one home in a hundred in the white areas and greater than one in three in the darkest areas.
The maximum raton potential between 3% to 5% sits near the middle of the scale.
Explore the full map at UKHSA’s website.
Testing for Radon
The first step in addressing radon concerns is to test your home. It is best to test for radon gas as soon as you move in and before your 2-year builder’s warranty expires. Testing is simple, affordable, and crucial:
- Short-Term Tests: These are inexpensive and take 2-7 days. They provide a snapshot of radon levels and are ideal for initial screening.
- Long-Term Tests: Measuring levels over 90 days provides a more accurate average, accounting for fluctuations due to seasons and ventilation patterns.
Radon test kits are available online, through local councils, or from certified radon professionals.
The UK Health Security Agency offers home measurement packs as well.
Mitigating Radon in Your Home
If your home tests positive for elevated radon levels, don’t panic. There are effective mitigation strategies:
- Install a Radon Mitigation System: Sub-slab depressurisation is the most common method, involving a vent pipe system and a fan to pull radon from beneath the house and release it outside.
- Seal Entry Points: Cracks, gaps, and openings in the foundation should be sealed to reduce radon infiltration.
- Improve Ventilation: Increasing airflow in crawlspaces or basements can help disperse radon gas.
- Professional Assistance: Hire a certified radon mitigation contractor for proper system installation and maintenance.
Preventing Radon in New Construction
For those building new homes, radon-resistant construction techniques can prevent future issues. These include:
- Laying a gas-permeable layer beneath the slab
- Installing a plastic sheeting to prevent soil gas from entering
- Using a vent pipe system and sealing all potential entry points
Regular Monitoring
Even after mitigation, periodic testing ensures that radon levels remain safe over time. Changes in the home’s structure, HVAC systems, or nearby geology can impact radon levels.