Radiation

RADON
Radon is a natural radioactive gas which decays into other radioactive species, all of which can increase your exposure to radiation. Radon is emitted from the very small amounts of uranium present in all earth materials such as rocks, soils, brick and concrete. Radon gas is generally found in higher concentrations in areas of the country with higher amounts of high Uranium containing rocks such as granite.

As for any radioactive material high levels of radon gas can cause an increased risk of cancers. As it is a gas that you can breathe in, the main risk is that of lung cancer. Radon in the home can present a very small increased risk of lung cancer especially if it is allowed to build up in unventilated voids such as basements and suspended ground floors.

The Health Protection Agency (formerly the National Radiological Protection Board) publishes a map of the statistical probability of any house failing to meet a nationally set action level. Any area with a greater than 1 percent probability of failure is termed a Radon Affected Area. A new version of this map, which can be downloaded from the HPA web site, was produced late in 2007. This now shows a significant part of Winchester's District to be a Radon Affected Area.

This new report does not present any new monitoring data. In the previous report, of the 220 properties measured in Winchester's district none failed the recommended action level of 200Bq/m3.

If you would like your house tested for Radon levels then these can be purchased direct from the Health Protection Agency (or Tel 01235 831 600). In addition the Health Protection Agency web site contains additional information on all aspects of radiation.

If you are proposing to construct a new property there are specific requirements regarding the assessment of Radon levels. For more information please contact our Building Control team on 01962 840 222 or email building@winchester.gov.uk