It’s colourless, odourless and tasteless but high levels of this gas can increase the risk of cancer – and it occurs naturally in the land.
Public health officials say every building contains radon and levels are usually low, but there are hotspots across the country, caused by the type of ground buildings were constructed on.
An interactive map, provided by the UK Health Security Agency, can tell you whether you live in, or near, an area affected by high levels of radon gas.
The darker the colour, the greater the chance of a higher level of gas. The risk is less than one home in a hundred in the white areas and greater than one in three in the darkest areas.
READ MORE: 12 driving hacks to make a tank of fuel go further
READ MORE: Aldi’s £17 whiskies beat those twice the price at global spirits competition
What is radon gas?
Radon is formed by the radioactive decay of the small amounts of uranium found naturally in all rocks and soils. This means it is everywhere.
The radiation emitted can increase the risk of cancer
Is radon gas dangerous and am I at risk?
According to UKradon, radon produces a radioactive dust in the air that we breathe.
The dust traps in our airways and emits radiation that damages the inside of our lungs. This damage, like the damage caused by smoking, increases our risk of lung cancer.
The higher the radon and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk.
To reduce risk, UKradon suggests you find out if you live in a radon-risk area and if you do, measure your home. If the radon is high, reduce it and if you smoke, give up.
How Cornwall is impacted by radon gas
The UKradon map makes for pretty grim reading in Cornwall with all but some very small patches around Lizard showing at least some radon potential, most at the higher end of the scale.
There are great swathes of the county showing the maximum radon potential as greater than 30% including in and around Penwith, Wendron Moors and Bodmin Moor.
Much of the rest of Cornwall is covered by the lighter brown colour denoting 10-30% maximum radon potential including Falmouth, Penzance, east of St Ives Bay, Tregony and St Columb.
How to check radon in your area
Don't Delay - It's easy to test your home or workplace for radon. A list of UKRA members who offer radon testing can be found at https://t.co/zrhV8JtUca #radonaware #dontdelay pic.twitter.com/P1HNRa8zto
— UK Radon Association (@UKRadonAssoc) November 3, 2021
If you are concerned about the radon risk in your area, you can purchase a Radon Risk Report for £3.90 from the UK Government website, telling you if your home is in a radon affected area.
If it is, it’s recommended radon concentration in your home is measured. You will be posted two detectors to place in your home one in the living area and one in an occupied bedroom.
After three months you post the detectors back for them to be analysed. The results are then posted back to you. This will cost £52.80 and can be ordered through this link.
You can find out more about testing and view the interactive map via the UKradon website.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel