Radon Gas
- Radon Gas is dangerous when it seeps into houses
- A simple test for radon is available
- Steps can be taken to reduce radon levels
What effect can radon have?
Radon is the second largest cause of lung cancer - the first is smoking. The risk of cancer from radon is up to 10 times greater if you smoke 15 cigarettes a day. It is estimated that high levels of radon gas in the home contribute to 60 lung cancer deaths in Northern Ireland each year.
What is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring gas which is produced by the radioactive decay of uranium in underground soils and rocks. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless and it moves through porous layers of soil and rock. When it reaches the open air it disperses rapidly into the atmosphere harmlessly. When it seeps into buildings, high concentrations can occur which may affect your health.
The Government has set an upper acceptable limit (the "action level") for radon in a house. At levels above this, measures should be taken to reduce the radon presence.
New Houses
Building Regulations, from April 2001, require radon preventative measures to be installed in new houses built in radon affected areas, as identified in 1999. The Regulations also apply to extensions of 30m2, or more, in area and to extensions to houses which already have radon protection.
In areas of the Province which are not "radon affected" radon may still be present, therefore, if your are building a house anywhere in Northern Ireland, you should consider incorporating radon preventative measures. Incorporating radon protective measures during construction is easier than installing them when the building has been completed.
Your local Building Control Department will be able to advise on the requirements of the Regulations.
Existing Houses
Radon can enter a house through joints or cracks in floors or walls next to the ground or through gaps around service pipes. If you are concerned about radon in your home, particularly of you live in a radon affected area, the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) will enable you to carry out a test to find out the level of radon in your house; some tests may be free or there may be a charge of approximately £35.00.
You should contact the:
Industrial Pollution and Radio Chemical Inspectorate
Environmental and Heritage Service;
tel 028 9025 4754 for further information.
Radon Tests
A radon monitoring measuring service is provided by:
The National Radiological Protection Board at NRPB
Chilton
Didcot
Oxon
OX11 0RQ
or on NRPB Radon Freephone 0800-614529
How Radon enters a house
The test requires two radon detectors (small circular discs about 70mm diameter) to be placed at certain locations in the house for up to 3 months. These are then returned to the NRPB who will analyse the information from the detectors and send back the results to you. The information is not disclosed to anyone else.
Reducing radon levels in existing houses
One or more of the following methods may be used to reduce the radon level in an existing building:
- A ´sump´ and extract pipe can be installed beneath the floor, from outside. A fan can be fitted to draw out the radon and blow it into the atmosphere above the roof of the house. Any gaps between the ground floor and walls and gaps around service pipes should be sealed. This could reduce the radon level by up to 90%.
- Positive pressurisation of the house using a fan in the roofspace prevents gas entering.
- Natural or forced ventilation of the void under the ground floor will reduce radon levels.
Remedial measures are generally not expensive. It may be possible to obtain financial assistance from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
Moving House
When a house is being sold Solicitors may ask if a radon test has been carried out. The sale may be put at risk if information is not disclosed or is not available.
If you are concerned about a house which you may wish to buy, the sale could be completed, with an agreed sum held back, subject to a radon test being conducted, by an independent body (e.g. National Radiological Protection Board), and the carrying out of any remedial work which may be required.
Other Buildings
Radon can enter any building constructed above the radon affected ground. The Building Regulations do not currently require radon preventative measures in a non-domestic buildings however, under the Health & Safety in the Workplace Regulations employers are responsible for ensuring safe radon levels in these types of buildings.
Consideration should be given to the provision of radon preventative measures in new buildings of this type and to testing existing buildings in radon affected areas.
Further Information on New Houses or Extensions
Derry City Council Building Control Offices will be able to give detailed information on the exact location of the radon affected areas and will be able to advise on the protective measures which can be taken to reduce the risk from radon in new dwellings and certain extensions.
on Existing Houses
The Council’s Environmental Health Department
Tel: 028 7136 5151
on Non-domestic Buildings
The Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland
Tel: 028 9024 3249
The Environmental and Heritage Service
Calvert House
23 Castle Plac
Belfast
BT1 1FY
Tel: 028 9025 4754
Action Cancer can be contacted at:
1 Marlborough Park
Belfast
BT9 6XS
Tel: 028 9080 3344
Website:
www.actioncancer.org
The Content on this page jointly produced by:
- Building Control Northern Ireland
- Action Cancer