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.ukradon.org/information/ukmaps 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://radonassociation.co.uk or join in on social media with the hashtag #radonaware.
About the UK Radon Association
The UK Radon Association is a not-for-profit, professional organisation of members who are dedicated to the highest standard of excellence and ethical performance of radon measurement, radon mitigation and transfer of radon information for the benefit of members, consumers and the wider public.