Radon Part 1

If we mention asbestos in our surveys, panic tends to ensue. With 5000 excess deaths a year related to asbestos. Mainly in the male dominated construction industry. If you were to mention Radon, we tend to get a blank look but research suggests it does contribute to over 1000 deaths a year.

If you live in a house in a geographic area affected by Radon, then you will be at higher risk and remediation works may well be required.

What is Radon

Radon gas is a colourless gas that emerges from the breakdown or decay of radioactive uranium in the ground. Other health factors are at play potentially Covid or a history of smoking may well influence the susceptibility of the human body to radon.

Radon in Bristol

Certain areas of Bristol are more prone to it than others, with the bedrock geology being the driving factor with for example the British Geological Survey suggesting areas in Bristol that would be affected more than others are the Inferior Oolite group and Carboniferous Limestone members. With certain parts of Clevedon generally showing that over 30% of properties may require some levels of remedial work. Whitchurch in South Bristol again showing higher levels. Whilst conversely parts of Stoke Gifford are showing at less than 1% require remedial action.

This website breaks it down to some extent. But the lines used in the mapping data are not exact. As you can imagine radon does not leave the ground in straight lines, so this over simplified model may well give a false positive impression.

My personal favourite is the below screen dump which over the period of 5 days changed rather significantly which is not helpful mid purchase. So you should also be aware that the readings for a particular area can change.

Considering the excess death risk. You would have presumed there would be some easy-to-use resources to help you determine your potential exposure and risk levels. The sad answer is no. The only way to do this is through monitoring the property. There is a video from PHE (public