Healthy Homes, Healthy Living’
UK Radon Awareness Week 2024 Spotlights Key Steps You Might Be Overlooking
for a Healthier Home.
UK Radon Awareness Week celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2024. Taking place from
4-10 November, the campaign aims to raise awareness of the silent health risk that
affects homes, schools and businesses across the UK: radon gas. This year, the
campaign is emphasising that radon testing is a simple yet crucial step to ensure a
healthy home environment.
What is radon and why does it matter?
Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas, produced by the breakdown of uranium
in the earth’s, rock, soil and water. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless and when it
enters buildings from the ground, it can accumulate to harmful levels. Long-term
exposure to high radon levels is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the UK after
smoking and is responsible for over 1,100 deaths from this disease each year.
The overlooked risk
“Nowadays, people are diligent about installing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide
detectors in their homes because they recognise the immediate dangers that these
devices can protect their families from,” says Dr Maria Dugdale, Chair of the UK Radon
Association. She continues, “Similarly, we are all well-versed in needing to open
windows when we’re decorating or using strong cleaning chemicals to avoid inhaling
fumes. Yet many don’t consider the risks posed by radon. Whilst it’s a less obvious risk
and requires some research to establish whether it could affect your home, addressing
it is just as crucial for maintaining a safe and healthy living environment.”
Understanding the risk
Radon levels vary across the UK and are largely driven by the differing geologies that
our homes are built upon. A simple check of the indicative radon map at
https://www.radonprotectionuk.com/radon-map will provide the estimated risk in your local
area. If the risk of high radon levels being present is greater than 1 in 100, the area is
designated as a ‘radon affected area’ and the UK Health Security Agency recommends
that testing is carried out in homes to measure the radon concentration. Home testing is
a simple process, for which kits are widely available from validated laboratories online
or from the UK Health Security Agency. If high levels are detected, proven methods
exist to reduce indoor radon concentrations and lower exposure. Dr Dugdale
comments, “Radon testing is easy and affordable, and it could make a huge difference.”
Get Informed, Get Involved!
To learn more about radon and ways to lower exposure, visit
https://www.radonprotectionuk.com/ or call us on 0800 978 8435,
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