Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas, which is formed by the decay of the small amounts of uranium present in all rocks and soils. As a gas, radon can move easily through the ground particularly if it is porous or fissured, to the surface. In the open air, radon disperses through cracks and gaps in the floor and can, in some instances, reach unacceptably high concentrations.

Radon decays to minute radioactive particles, which can be breathed in. Some of these particles lodge in the lining of the lungs and irradiate the tissues thus increasing the risk of lung cancer. The Government has adopted an Action Level for radon in homes of 200 becquerels per cubic metre of air (Bqm-3). The Becquerel is the unit in which radioactivity is measured.

The concept of radon Affected Areas was introduced to concentrate attention on radon in those parts of the country where 1% or more of homes are estimated to be at or above the Action Level. The National Radiological Protection Board, now part of the Health Protection Agency, published a radon probability map of the whole of England identifying radon-affected areas. (See link below).

Radon in Wychavon

As part of the recent report "Radon Affected Areas: England & Wales" the National Radiological Protection Board, supplied this Department with an Atlas map of England based on 5km squares of the Ordnance Survey grid. At this scale it is impossible to provide details relating to individual properties.

Radon affected areas have been declared in 25, five kilometre squares of the Ordnance Survey grid which are wholly or partially within the jurisdiction of Wychavon District Council. These areas account for 57% of the total housing stock, approximately 25,800 dwellings.

• 53% of the total housing stock falls in the probability band where it is predicted that 1 - 3% of houses will be affected by radon (e.g. 240 - 720)
• 4% of the total housing stock falls in the probability band where it is predicted that 3 -10% of houses will be affect by radon (e.g. 54 -180 houses).

Therefore it can be estimated that between 294 and 900 homes in Wychavon District Council will have levels of radon which are at or above the Government Action Level of 200Bqm-3.

Tests carried out in Wychavon District

Tests carried out by the NRPB on 141 dwellings in the district showed that levels of radon products in the internal atmosphere were well below the action level in all but one case.

• National Radiological Protection Board, October 1997  (59.49 KB)
• National Radiological Protection Board, September 2002  (9.34 KB)

General Radon Information

NRPB web links

• NRPB Radon map
• NRPB Radon frequently asked questions
• NRPB Radon homepage

Guide for Home Buyers and Sellers

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has a website " A guide to Radon for Home Buyers and Sellers". This publication can be downloaded from DEFRA's Radon website.

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For more information contact:

Environmental Protection Section, Enironmental Services,
Wychavon District Council, Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, Worcs. WR10 1PT

Telephone: 01386 565015 between 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
Fax: 01386 561826
Email: environmental.health@wychavon.gov.uk