HPA helps solve radon problems in West Oxfordshire homes

23 January 2012

Last summer, the Health Protection Agency invited about 9,000 householders across West Oxfordshire to apply for a free test for radon, a naturally occurring gas present in all homes.

Radon cannot be seen, smelt or tasted and for most people it is the largest single part of their annual radiation exposure. Each year radon is believed to lead to over 1,000 lung cancer deaths in the UK.

More than 4,000 households took up the free radon test offer and the HPA sent out kits which were placed in homes and returned for analysis after three months. Most householders have now been sent their test results.

The results so far show that almost one in seven homes (14 per cent) tested have radon over the Action Level – the point at which HPA recommends steps to reduce exposure - and that ten homes had radon at five times the Action Level. One household had a reading 11 times greater than the Action Level.

Neil McColl, head of radon at the HPA’s Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, said: “Whenever we run testing programmes we find a small number of properties with unusually high readings. What all of these results have shown us once again is that if you are in a radon affected area in West Oxfordshire you should get your home tested – if you haven’t already done so.

“If your home is shown to have high levels of radon, you can then take practical steps to reduce your exposure and minimise your risk.”

Now HPA, together with staff from the local Council and the Building Research Establishment, are staging drop-in events in West Oxfordshire for anyone wanting more information. Individual invites are going out to households this week.

The team will be at:

• Langdale Hall, Market Square, Witney, on Monday, February 6 between 2-8pm
• The War Memorial Hall, Browns Lane, Charlbury, on Tuesday, February 7, between 10am-8pm
• The Town Hall, Market Place, Chipping Norton, on Wednesday, February 8, and Thursday, February 9, between 10am-8pm

Neil said: “At these events people will be able to get the information they need to be able to assess the scale of their exposure and make informed decisions about the next steps.
“Many people aren’t familiar with radon, so naturally when you get a radon test result you may want to find out more. Because of that we find it’s useful to run local events where people who want more information can ask us questions face-to-face, see examples of the simple measures and equipment used to reduce radon and get information from radon contractors.

“We also like to explain to people that reducing radon levels in the home can be quite straight forward - some remediation of homes can be undertaken by anyone with practical DIY experience.”

Notes to Editors

• The Health Protection Agency is the official adviser to all arms of the UK Government, including the devolved administrations, on the health effects of radiation.
• Radon is measured in Becquerels per cubic metre of air (Bq per m³). The higher the reading in becquerels the greater the radioactivity of a substance.
• The HPA’s radon Action Level is 200 Bq per m³ and is the point at which the Agency recommends steps are taken to reduce exposure.
• The HPA’s radon Target Level is 100 Bq per m³, and is the level that HPA recommends those undertaking remediation aim for.
• Households that include smokers or ex-smokers should consider action if they have radon levels above the Target Level.
• For more information about radon visit http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/Radiation/UnderstandingRadiation/UnderstandingRadiationTopics/Radon/  or www.ukradon.org.
• Scientists are available for interview. For more details please contact the CRCE press office on 01235 822745/876.

Last reviewed: 20 January 2012