Radon: a householder’s guide - Southwest Environmental · radon, and to follow up with radon reduction measures if they find there is a problem. Even though only a small proportion

Radon: a householders guidewww.defra.gov.uk

You can't see, smell or taste radon but it could be inyour home. This booklet tells you all you need to know.

Radon: a householder’s guide

rad nDon’t live with the risk

Radon: a householders guide

This booklet, published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, provides information about methods forradon reduction. Every effort has been made to ensure that theinformation is accurate, but the department cannot accept liabilityfor the application of this advice. Defra cannot endorse orrecommend any particular supplier, product or service.

The information in this booklet applies to England. For specificinformation applicable to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales,write to the addresses given on the inside back cover.

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Contents

Introduction 4

Radon - back to the facts 4

What should people in affected areas do? 8

What can I do if I find my house has a radon problem? 10

What about homes built within the last 15 years? 13

Finding a builder and drawing up a contract 14

What should I do if I am buying or selling a house? 17

Might there be radon in my workplace? 18

Further information 19

IntroductionPerhaps you have heard aboutradon affecting your area and arewondering whether you shouldtake the test. Perhaps you havetaken the test but feel you don’tknow enough about what itmeans. Either way, this booklet isfor you. It tells you what radon is,where it is found, what thedangers are – and explains thegood news that the measuresneeded to get rid of radonproblems are easy, effectiveand relatively inexpensive.

In some areas of the UK, naturallyoccurring radon poses a health risk to a relatively small number of peoplein their homes. Since 1987, nearly half a million tests, most funded bygovernment, have been carried out by the National RadiologicalProtection Board (NRPB) on individualbuildings. These have enabled it tobuild up a country-wide map of radonlevels, and helped thousands ofindividual householders to make theirhomes safe. The Government is usingthe map as the basis for its action plan.The Government wants people whomay be at risk to test their homes forradon, and to follow up with radon

reduction measures if they find there is a problem. Even though only a small proportion of the UK populationis actually affected by radon, everyoneshould know the facts – so read on.

Radon – back to thefactsRadon is a radioactive gas thatoccurs naturally. It has no taste, smell or colour; in fact, specialdevices are needed to detect it.Radon is everywhere, usually at levels that pose negligible risk.

Where does radoncome from?

When uranium decays, it becomesradium, and when radium decays, it becomes radon. Uranium isfound in small quantities in all soiland rocks, but amounts vary fromplace to place. Variations are on avery small scale; there may bedifferent levels of radon evenbetween neighbouring buildings.

Radon rises from soil into the air;outdoors, radon is diluted and therisk it poses is negligible. When itstays in enclosed spaces, however,concentrations can build up.

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Where is Radon found?

Radon is everywhere – but usually in insignificant quantities. There aresome areas of the UK where thegeology results in higher radonlevels. From some 450,000 testresults, the NRPB has drawn up

maps of radon-affected areas. Most homes, even in these areas,will not have a radon problem, but a proportion will do so. As you can see from the map on page 6, in many places radon is found in small pockets.

Radon can be dangerous

It should be emphasised that whenthe radon concentration is high, it does pose a serious risk to yourhealth. Radioactive decay of radonforms particles called ‘radondaughters’, and if you breathe these in they damage your lungtissues. Health studies from aroundthe world have linked radon andlung cancer. The lung cancer radoncauses proceeds in exactly the sameway as cancer caused by smoking.The NRPB measures radon levels in becquerels per cubic metres of air (Bq m-3), and has advised the Government that the level of 200 Bq m-3 in homes should be considered the Action Level (the level at which action should betaken to reduce radon concentration).

12% cosmic rays

Average Annual Dose to UK Population2.6 mSv overall

10% from food and drink

50% radon gas from the ground

13.5% gamma rays from ground and buildings

14% medical

0.1% nuclear discharge

0.1% products

0.2% fallout

0.2% occupational

Key

85%

NA

TURA

L15

% A

RTIF

ICIA

L

Radon is the biggest contributor to radiation exposure of the UK population.


6

Percentages of homesabove Action Level

0-11-33-55-1010 - 30Greater than 30

Map showing estimated proportion of homes exceeding the actionlevel in England.

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The table below gives some idea ofhow radon risk compares with otherrisks when radon is at the averagebackground level found in the UK,which is 20 Bq m-3 – that is, 1/10 ofthe Action Level. However, as this isan average value, many homes willhave higher levels than this. Youneed not be concerned if your homehas a radon level above 20Bq m-3

unless it approaches or exceeds the 200 Bq m-3 Action Level.

Table 1 shows that, for example, you are more likely to die as a resultof an accident indoors, than fromlung cancer caused by thebackground level of radon.

As the radon concentrationincreases, however, the risk of lungcancer increases. A comprehensivestudy by the Imperial CancerResearch Fund has confirmed thelevel of risk from radon in houses in the UK.

‘Lifetime risk’ is of course a long-term hazard. Radon risk increases with time. When taking steps toreduce it, it is far better to plancarefully than take the wrongprecautions. After brisk but sensibleplanning, action should be taken as soon as practical.

0

50

100

150

200

250

Pede

stria

n ac

cide

nts

Back

grou

nd r

adon

leve

l in

hous

es

Indo

or a

ccid

ents

Per 1,000

Lung

can

cer

All

canc

ers

Fire

and

fla

mes

Table 1: Lifetime risks of deathfrom common causes (UK averagefor smokers and non-smokers)


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Table 2 applies only to non-smokers.Smoking makes the risk of cancerfrom radon far worse. If you smoke15 cigarettes a day, you can multiplythe risk factor by 10, so for exampleat the Action Level your risk is 100in 1000.

Smokers should remember this,however, whereas they might find it very hard to give up smoking,households at risk from radon caneasily take small and effective stepsto make their home safe.

How does radon get into my home?

Because of the effects of wind andtemperature, the air pressure in yourhouse is usually lower than the airpressure in the soil beneath it. Just as air rushes in to fill a vacuumbecause the pressure is lower, thesame effect happens (much lessdramatically) with houses – air fromthe soil seeps into the lower pressurearea of the house through cracksand gaps in the floor or walls. This air contains radon, and in areaswhere radon levels in the soil arequite high, indoor radon levels can rise above the Action Level.

What should people inaffected areas do?The Government recommends thatpeople in affected areas test theirhouses for radon. There is a testavailable that involves monitoringradon in the home with a simple,safe device for a period of threemonths. The test costs around £35,and anyone can order it. There arealso shorter tests available and thesemay be used to obtain an estimateof the radon concentration in yourhome, especially when the levels arevery high or very low. They may also

0

2

4

6

8

20

18

10

12

14

16

100 ActionLevel200

400

Per 1,000

Rado

n Le

vel B

q/m

3

20

Table 2: Lifetime risk of lungcancer potentially induced byradon (for non smokers)

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be used where quick measurementsare essential. However, the longerterm radon measurement will give amore accurate indication of averageannual levels of radiation. If youhave not taken a test and areworried about radon contact Defrato ask for a leaflet about the test,Radon: you can test for it. Theaddress is at the end of this booklet.The Government, the NRPB and the Building Research EstablishmentLtd (BRE) all recommend that ifhouseholders’ indoor radon levelstest above the Action Level, theyshould take radon reductionmeasures as soon as practical – and then take the test again to give themselves peace of mind, that the measures have worked.

Radon testing kits

Who gets to see my radon test results?

Only you, the occupier. If the test is organised by your local councilthey may ask to be given the result.If you are a tenant, your landlord can request and be given the result unless you have asked themeasurement laboratory not to do so on the record card that comeswith the detectors.

You needn’t pass them voluntarily to anyone (although if someone who wants to buy your houseasks about a radon test, you are legally obliged to say whatyou know).

However, radon problems arenothing to be ashamed of, and itcould be helpful to your localauthority if you choose to informthem of your house’s radon testresults (even if you have testedbelow the Action Levels). They willbe keen to build up a picture of theradon problem in the area.

When the NRPB does a test andknows that a householder is atenant, it sends two copies of theresults. The idea is that you maywish to pass a copy to your landlord


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– again, whether or not the househas a radon problem. In some cases,the terms of your lease may meanthat the landlord is responsible forrepairs. In this case the landlord may also be responsible for radonreduction work. In other cases theresponsibility may not fall to thelandlord; you should consult withhim or her about the lease.

What can I do if I findmy house has a radonproblem?

Remember that it is your averageexposure to radon that matters.Short exposure to high levels is not important if over the long term your average exposure is low. This means that you have time toplan for the solution that is best for you, your house and your radonlevel. But having found the bestsolution, you should implement it as soon as practical.

It is best to stop radon entering ahouse or, if that is not possible, totry to remove it if it gets in. The aimin both cases should be to reduceindoor radon levels to significantly

below the Action Level. There arefive main ways to achieve this; they are described briefly below and dealt with in greater detail inthe free booklet ‘Radon – a guide to reducing levels in your home’,available from Defra (see page 19for details).

Choice A – install a radon sump system

The average cost of a system isabout £750 - £1000. It can beinstalled in a day or two. The sumpis a small void (about the size of abucket) dug under a solid groundfloor, to which a pipe and usually a fan are attached. The system limits the amount of radon thatenters the house, and for a typicalhouse is by far the most effective method. Modern sumps are often constructed from the side of the house, so there is nodisruption inside.

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Choice B – improveventilation undersuspended timber floors

Costs could be in the region of £200-£500, but may varyconsiderably. New air bricks areinstalled in walls just above groundlevel; This can be as little as £20 - £50 per air brick, or less ifyou do the work yourself. In somecases a fan system is also installed. The system again limits the amount of radon that enters the house.

Choice C – use positiveventilation in your house

The average cost of the system,which is designed to change the airpressure in your house by blowingair in from the loft level, is around£500 - £600. The system bothdilutes the radon to acceptablelevels, and stops some of it gettingin. It can be installed in a day.

Choice D – seal cracks and gaps in solid concrete floors

Costs for this work vary a lot: youcould spend as little as £25, but it does depend on the house andcould cost five or ten times as much. The seals prevent radon entering the house through the floor.However, for sealing to work, it isessential that all of the cracks aresealed. This will involve removing for example carpets and skirtingboards. Sealing only say, 90 per cent of cracks is likely to have littleeffect on radon levels.


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2. A radon sump system works bydrawing air from the soil beneathyour home and redirecting itharmlessly into the atmosphere.

1. Sump systems are generally themost effective method for reducinghigh levels of radon. The systempictured could be installed in one day.

3. Positive ventilation fans blow air from a loft – or fresh air fromoutside – into your house.

4. Modern plastic louvred airbricksare a cheap and simple way to helpdilute radon beneath suspendedconcrete or timber floors.

Choice E – change the way your house is ventilated

This solution is only suitable in quite special cases, and has drawbacks, but can prove quite inexpensive.

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Some choices are more suitable forsome houses than others. The costsof many of them can be reduced by do-it-yourself work. BRE publishuseful guides about most of thechoices; the ordering address is on page 20.

What about homes builtwithin the last 15 years?

With new understanding of theradon risk, the Government hasdesignated areas where new homesshould include radon protectionmeasures to satisfy the requirementsof the Building Regulations. Theseareas have been modified as surveyinformation has become availableand were delineated in stages:

• In 1988 to parts of Devon andCornwall, and extended in

• 1992 to parts of Somerset,Derbyshire and Northamptonshire,and following a nationwidesurvey extended in

• 1999 to all parts of England wherethere is a significant probability ofexceeding the Action Level forradon set by NRPB.

Under the 1999 guidance, there are two levels of radon protection, basic and full.

Basic radon protection consisting of a radon-resistant barrier across the ground floor of the buildingshould be provided where there is a significant probability ofexceeding the Action Level forradon. In areas where radon levelswould be much higher, there should be provision for full radonprotection and include sub-floordepressurisation or ventilation inaddition to the radon resistant barrier.

Prior to 1999, the initial means of radon protection was a sump or sub-floor ventilation, radonbarriers only being required in areas of highest risk.

In a new home which has a sump, it is a simple matter to activate thesump with a fan to further reduceradon levels if a radon measurementof the house shows the ActionLevel is being exceeded.

You can find out more informationabout the Building Regulations byringing the BRE Radon Hotline; the number is given on page 20. You can also e-mail enquiries to:[email protected]


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How can I keep costsmanageable?

As you read above, costs can vary agreat deal because so much dependson the amount of radon reductionyou need to achieve and the designof your house. However, theequipment and materials needed arenot complex or expensive: most ofthe costs are in the labour needed.This is why do-it-yourself work canbe so significant in reducing costs,providing you feel confident aboutcarrying out the work yourself.

It may be cheaper to have severalthings done at once. Builders havefixed overheads that they charge per job, such as hiring plant; if yourbuilder can carry out all the work in one visit he or she will probablycharge less than for several separate ones.

Similarly, if you plan to make other alterations to your house (for example to extend the groundfloor) radon reduction measures may be cheaper if you carry themout at the same time.

The other important aspect ofmanaging costs is that of writtenquotations, dealt with on page 15.

Finding a builder anddrawing up a contractThere is nothing complex about themethods used to bring radon downto below the Action Level, and so alocal builder who does good qualitywork should have no problemscarrying out the work. But becausewidespread knowledge of the risksposed by radon is quite new in some parts of the country, buildersmay not have worked on radonreduction before. If you choose touse a builder, further expert advice is available to help you and yourbuilder. The NRPB advises on healthrisks posed by radiation and how to guard against them. The BRE has developed practical advice about how building work can reduce radon levels to within safelimits. The Radon Council Ltd, anindependent voluntary RegulatoryBody, keeps a list of companiesexperienced in radon reductionwork. Addresses and otherinformation available (includingtelephone hotlines) are listed at the end of this booklet.

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The following points are useful when you are looking for a builder:

• You can draw up a lump sum contract

Many people employ builders todo minor jobs without professionaladvice and radon work need beno different. The best plan is towrite down in advance the workyou need to be doing. If youneed help doing this, phone theBRE Radon hotline. Then get atleast three written quotationsfrom different builders, askingthem to quote on a ‘lump sum’basis. This means their price willinclude everything they thinknecessary to complete the job asyou have described it. It won’tinclude unexpected costs (forthings they could not haveforeseen, such as discovering dryrot in floor joists), but these asideyou will be reasonably sure ofthe final cost of the work.

• You can draw up a time-and-material, or dayworks, contract

If you cannot write down anaccurate list of what needsdoing, because you don’t yetknow how much work it willtake, a lump sum contract willnot be possible. (For example ifyou need to seal the floor, youmay not know how much workneeds doing until you take outall the furniture and remove allthe carpets and skirting boards.)In this case you could get thebuilder to quote an hourly ratefor labour and a rate for thesupply and fixing of materials(for example, so many poundsper metre for sealing edges offloors, so many pounds forsealing around a service pipe),and also ask for an estimate of the overall cost.

This estimate doesn’t have thesame legal force as a writtenquotation. A quotation commitsthe builder to do the job at acertain cost or rate. An estimateis an approximate guide thathelps you to budget but does notcommit the builder; of courseyou may find his or her costscome in lower than the estimate.


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• Some builders have trained or worked on radon reduction

The Radon Council Ltd has a list of builders who areexperienced in radon work. Thebuilders abide by the Council’sCode of Practice and its guidelineson carrying out remedial work.Builders must also have at leastone employee who has attendedthe Council’s training course. TheCouncil’s address is on page 22.

• You can get professional advice

Even if you cannot find a builderexperienced in this kind of work,high quality workmanship andgood materials are the essentialfoundations of successful work. An architect or quantity surveyor can advise you on the quality oflocal builders’ work, help you todraw up a contract, assess thequality of work and ensure thatthe final sum you are chargedis right for the work done.However, you will have to pay for these professional services.

On page 21, you will find lists of professional bodies and tradeassociations whose members arecommitted to high quality work andsubmit to a complaints procedure.

Can I get grants to help pay for the work?

In some cases grants are available,and loans are possible:

• The building societies haveagreed in principle to provideloan finance for radon work,subject to the applicant’s status;

• If you cannot afford to pay for the work, discretionary ‘houserenovation’ grants may beavailable from your localauthority. The authority willassess your eligibility and willdetermine how much, if any,of the cost you will have to pay.Agreement for the grant mustbe obtained before the work is carried out.

Do I need permission to carry out the work?

• If you own your home but have a mortgage

You may need the lender’spermission before carrying outthese changes to the house.Your lender will be able to tell you what the mortgageagreement says and you shouldcheck this before starting work.

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• If you are a tenant

You will need to discuss thework with your landlord beforeyou start. You may be able to carry out some of the jobsyourself, but others, especially if they affect the building’sstructure, might have to becarried out by the landlord.

• Planning permission orBuilding Regulations approval

Are not usually necessary forsmall radon reduction jobs(unless you are making biggerchanges at the same time). Your local council’s BuildingControl Officer can give you the advice you need. However, if your house is a listed building, or in a designated area ofoutstanding natural beauty, anational park or a conservationarea, you may need permissionfor any work that alters itsexternal appearance or disturbsinternal features that may bepart of the character of anhistoric building. Check with the Planning Department of your local council.

Landfill gases

In the very rare cases where a houseneeding radon work is on or next toa landfill site or coal mine, additionalprecautions may be needed to dealwith the methane rising from thesite. If you have any reason to thinkthat this applies to your house, ringyour local authority’s EnvironmentalHealth Department to check. If there is a problem, you will be able to get expert advice from BRE’s Radon hotline.

What should I do ifI am buying or sellinga house?Defra has published a special bookletdealing with these issues: Radon – a guide for homebuyers and sellers(details on page 19).


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Might there be radonin my workplace?Radon can affect workplaces andpublic buildings in the same way as houses. Where the workplace isoccupied for a normal working dayand the average radon levels arebelow 400Bq m-3 no further action is likely to be required, taking intoaccount that most people spendmuch more time in the home than at work.

In buildings where radon is at a level over any 24 hour periodexceeding 400Bq m-3, employershave a legal responsibility under the Ionising Regulations 1999 toensure that any consequential risk to health is restricted as far asreasonably practicable for thoseusing the building.

If you have concerns, you shouldtake them up with the employer;you can get more advice from yourlocal Health and Safety Executive(HSE) Area Officer or theEnvironmental Health Department of your local authority. HSE, BRE, and NRPB publish information onRadon in the workplace.

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Further informationHaving read this booklet, you may well have further questions on radon.Defra can answer most of these questions. The other organisations listed here can provide more detailed information on specific aspects of the radon problem.

To contact DefraRadioactive Substances DivisionDefraZone 4/F7Ashdown House123 Victoria StreetLondon SW1E 6DETel: 020 7082 8497/8498Fax: 020 7082 8474Web: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/radioactivity/radon

Defra has several publications including:Radon – you can test for it (Publication Code: 00EP0414A)Radon – a guide for homebuyers and sellers (Publication Code: 00EP0414B)Radon – a guide to reducing levels in your home (Publication Code:00EP0414C)

You can get free copies of the publications by contacting:Defra PublicationsAdmail 6000London SW1A 2XXTel: 0845 955 6000Fax: 020 8957 5012e-mail: [email protected]


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NRPB can provide an information pack on radon in the home, with adviceabout radon, its health risks and details of how to order the test.

NRPB also offer a range of leaflets, reports and a video on radon matters.Single copies of many leaflets are free. The reports and video are on saleat prices between £2 and £20.

To contact NRPBNRPBChiltonDidcotOxon OX11 0RQNRPB Radon Freephone: 0800 614529Web: www.nrpb.org

BRE can provide practical and effective advice about construction work toreduce radon levels. They also publish a range of easy to follow guides, anda video, for builders and householders on how to tackle radon levels inexisting homes.

To contact BRE: Radon adviceBuilding Research Establishment LtdGarstonWatford WD2 7JRBRE Radon hotline: 01923 664707.Fax: 01923 664010Web: www.bre.co.uk/radon

More information about the guides, and the video are available from:Construction Research Communication Ltd151 Rosebery AvenueLondon EC1R 4QXTel: 020 7505 6622Fax: 020 7505 6606e-mail: [email protected]: www.brebookshop.com

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For more advice about Building Regulations, write to:Buildings DivisionOffice of the Deputy Prime MinisterFloor 18APortland HouseStag PlaceLondon SW1E 5LPWeb: www.safety.odpm.gov.uk

For more advice about radon in the workplace, write to:Health & Safety ExecutiveSheffield Information CentreHealth & Safety LaboratoryBroad LaneSheffield S3 7HQFax: 0114 2892333Web: www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/radon

The following professional organisations unite and regulate memberspractising their respective trades:Builders Federation of Master BuildersGordon Fisher House14/15 Great James StreetLondon WC1N 3DPTel: 020 7242 7583Fax: 020 7242 0296e-mail: [email protected]: www.fmb.org.uk

The ConstructionConfederation56-64 Leonard StreetLondon EC2A 4JXTel: 020 7608 5000Fax: 020 7608 5001e-mail: [email protected]: www.constructionconfederation.co.uk


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Architects Royal Institute ofBritish Architects66 Portland PlaceLondon W1N 4ADTel: 0906 302 0400e-mail: [email protected]: www.riba.org

Quantity Surveyors Royal Institution of Chartered SurveyorsContact Centre, Surveyor CourtWestwood WayCoventry CV4 8JETel: 0870 333 1600e-mail: [email protected]: www.rics.org

For a list of companies experienced in radon reduction work, and fordetails of companies who can offer short term tests, contact theindependent voluntary regulatory body:The Radon Council LtdPO Box 39SheppertonMiddlesex TW17 8ADTel: 01932 221 212Fax: 01932 229 779e-mail: [email protected]: www.radonhotline.org

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The information in this booklet applies to England. Readers inNorthern Ireland, Scotland and Wales should write to:

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland AssemblyEnvironment andheritage ServiceCalvert House23 Castle PlaceBelfast BT1 1FYTel: 02890 254 709Fax: 02890 254 700e-mail: [email protected]: www.ehsni.gov.uk

Scotland Scottish ExecutiveHousing 2First Floor EastVictoria QuayEdinburgh EH6 6QQWeb: www.scotland.gov.uk

Wales Environmental Science AdvisorNational Assembly for WalesCathays ParkCardiff CF10 3NQTel: 029 2082 3178Fax: 029 2082 5008Web: www.wales.gov.uk

Cynghorw gwyddoniaethamgycheddolParc CathaysCaerdydd CF10 3NQ


PB9442

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Documents

Radon: a householder’s guide - Southwest Environmental · radon, and to follow up with radon reduction measures if they find there is a problem. Even though only a small proportion