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WHAT IS RADON?
As defined by Public Health England​
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"Radon is a colourless, odourless radioactive gas. It is formed by the radioactive decay of the small amounts of uranium that occur naturally in all rocks and soils"
Radon is everywhere; formed from the uranium in all rocks and soils. Outdoors everywhere and indoors in many areas the radon levels are low and the risk to health is small. The darker the colour on the the greater the chance of a high radon level in a building. However not all buildings, even in the darkest areas, have high levels.
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What is a low level?
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The amount of radon is measured in becquerels per cubic metre of air (Bq m-3). The average level in UK homes is 20 Bq m-3. For levels below 100 Bq m-3, your individual risk remains relatively low and not a cause for concern. However, the risk increases as the radon level increases.
What is radioactivity and radiation?
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Radioactivity is where unstable elements, such as naturally occurring uranium, thorium and radon, break down; energy is released and different elements formed. The new elements may also be unstable so the process is repeated until a stable element is formed. The energy given off is called radiation and can be alpha or beta particles or gamma rays. Alpha particles are more harmful than beta particles or gamma rays. This is because alpha particles contain more energy and are absorbed over a smaller area.
Our exposure to radiation
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We are all exposed to radiation from natural and man-made sources. Just 20 Bq m-3 (the average radon level in UK homes) gives us half our exposure to radiation from all sources. Higher radon levels give higher exposures: that is why it is important to find out the levels in your home and in your school or workplace.
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Measuring radon
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Radon measurements are recommended if properties are in radon Affected Areas. We offer a service to identify these for individual homes and for landlords with large property portfolios. We also offer a measurement service for individuals and for landlords.
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Public Health England recommend that action to reduce radon levels is taken if the annual average radon concentration in a property is at or above the Action Level of 200 Bq m-3.
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The type of remedy is linked to the construction of the property and the annual average radon level. This can be confirmed via a follow up survey.
which will confirm your properties suitability to any proposed remediation and associated costs to supply install and commission the equipment.
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