Nearly one in seven Highland council homes tested has excessive radon levels
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ROUGHLY one-in-seven council houses tested in the Highlands for cancer-causing radon gas had levels exceeding action levels, the council has revealed.
Around 1150 test kits were sent out to wards with known histories of radon gas, including the Aird and Loch Ness area.
Of those, roughly 700 were returned and 95 were found to have excessive levels of the naturally-occuring radioactive gas. These are properties where results were above the council’s target level of 100 Becquerels per cubic metre.
A council spokeswoman said: "The council’s community services has written to all tenants who returned their test kits to advise of the results.
"Where the radon concentration is above the recommended target level a schedule of surveys will take place to identify potential remedial works. It is anticipated that all remedial works will be complete by the end of the financial year and that re-testing will take place thereafter to assess the effectiveness of the works.
"It is important to emphasise that there is no need for any immediate concern. There is no acute risk from radon. Any risk is due to long-term exposure."
Radon gas is odourless and is emitted from the tiny amounts of uranium that occur naturally in all rocks and soils. It is present in all parts of the UK, but is more concentrated in some areas, depending on the rock type.
Exposure to high levels of radon, over a long period may increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
Where a high level of radon is present, steps can be taken to reduce the level, normally by increasing the ventilation under a suspended floor or sucking out the radon from under a solid floor, using a fan.
People who own their own homes should check the radon maps available at http://www.ukradon.org/.
This website also offers a detailed map check on individual properties for around £4. If the house is in an area at risk from radon then monitoring should be carried out. This can be arranged through the same website at minimal cost (around £40 for a radon test pack).
For further information about radon, visit http://www.ukradon.org/ or phone Public Health England, which monitors radon levels across the UK, on 01235 822 622 during normal office hours.
