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Radon - Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It is produced by the decay of uranium that is present in all rocks and soils. In open air, it disperses very quickly, but can become trapped in buildings. The amount in the indoor air depends on the local geology and the building design, heating, ventilation and use. Radon is present in all buildings, including homes, so we all breathe it in throughout our lives. For most UK residents, radon accounts for about half of their total annual radiation dose.
2. What are the health effects of radon?
Long term exposure to high levels of radon can increase the risk of lung cancer. Of the 33,000 deaths from lung cancer every year in the UK, between 1,000 and 2,000 deaths are related to radon; however the majority of these are in smokers.
The risk of lung cancer is highest for people who smoke tobacco and have high radon exposures. If you smoke tobacco, quitting is the most effective way of reducing the risk of lung cancer.
The risk of lung cancer from exposure to radon in non-smokers is small and many times lower than the risk of lung cancer if you smoke tobacco.
No other health effects have been definitively linked with radon.
3. Are children more at risk from radon than adults?
There is no evidence that radon exposure during childhood causes a greater risk than that during adulthood. Action levels for radon in homes, and also for workplaces (including schools), take into account that exposure could take place over many years. The action levels are set accordingly.
4. What are radon ‘action’ levels’?
Radiation protection standards in workplaces are set by the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999, which state that radon levels should be reduced below an average of 400 Bq m-3 in workplaces. There is no way to eliminate all radon from the world. However, by putting in place some minor building work the levels can be reduced below the action level so that the risk becomes very small.
5. How do you know where to test for radon?
The HPA and British Geological Survey (BGS) have produced a radon atlas of England and Wales based on measured radon levels in houses and the detailed geology. The atlas shows the radon potential of a building in terms of the chance of it exceeding the action level. Where the radon potential exceeds 1% of buildings, it is known as a radon affected area.
Although some parts of Oldham have been designated as radon affected areas the proportion of buildings affected by radon is much lower than other parts of the country like Derbyshire or Cornwall.
6. Why was the school monitored for radon?
The HPA manages a national programme of work to identify premises with high radon and to reduce levels in line with Health and Safety legislation. A joint report by the HPA and British Geological Survey on radon affected areas indicates that some of the schools in the Oldham LEA area need to assess radon risks.
The current monitoring is part of a national initiative promoted by the Department of Health and developed in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive. Many LEAs already manage their radon risks and the present campaign is intended to promote a uniform and appropriate standard of protection in all schools.
7. How was the radon level measured?
Radon levels can vary between adjacent buildings and even in a room, radon levels can vary from day to day and hour to hour. Because of these fluctuations, radon levels are normally measured over a three month period with the use of monitors.
8. What were the results?
The results showed that the radon levels exceeded the action levels in limited areas of the school. Although the risk is low, long term exposure to radon can ultimately damage the lungs so the Health Protection Agency (HPA) is working with Oldham LEA to recommend the best course of remediation work to reduce the level of radon and control exposure to the gas.
9. What is being done?
Further monitoring is being carried out for 8 weeks to clarify the areas of the school which have a high level of radon. Results of this monitoring will inform the manner in which remedial action is taken. Following this, minor building work will be carried out by the school, for example by installing a small radon sump system or improving the built-in ventilation. The school will work with the HPA to identify the best method to reduce the level. Radon levels will continue to be monitored until they have been reduced to below the action level.
10. My children have attended this school with high radon for many years - will they get cancer?
Most children will be at only a very small risk of lung cancer from radon exposure at school. Radon exposure, whether at home, at school, or in later life can increase the risk. It is important that children do not smoke since this is harmful to health itself and increases the risks from radon exposure.
11. I have worked in a school for many years, am I at risk of getting lung cancer?
The risk of staff members developing lung cancer from radon exposure during the time they have worked at school is very small. The risk is higher in those who also smoke, so for smokers the most effective way of reducing the risk further is by stopping smoking. The minor building work which will be carried out will limit exposure to radon in the future for staff members working in the school.
12. Is it safe for my child to continue attending a school where high levels have been found? What are the risks?
It can take a few months for the minor building work to be carried out. The health effect of radon is after exposure to high levels over a long period (life time) and the risks from exposure to radon for a few months is extremely small. The amount of exposure to radon from someone spending a school year in the classroom with the highest radon level is about the same as the average UK radiation dose from all sources.
Similar radon levels to those reported for the school have been found in many schools elsewhere in the country, and the LEA is following established procedures to limit risk to staff and pupils. There is, therefore, no need for alarm or to remove children from school or keep them at home. The school has been advised by the HPA that the school routine should continue as normal.
13. I live near a property that I know has high radon levels, am I at risk?
Radon levels can differ greatly with location - even in properties that are close together. If you live in England or Wales, the Indicative Atlas of Radon in England and Wales shows the risk of finding a high radon level in your local area.
To find out about your home more accurately, you can complete a property specific search for your address. If the probability of high radon at your address is high, the only way of being sure of the radon level in your home is to obtain a proper radon measurement.
Further information on Radon is available from:
• http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/Radiation/UnderstandingRadiation/FrequentlyAskedQuestions/RadonFAQs/
