People spend a lot of time indoors, whether at home or in the workplace. As such, we often do a lot to keep our indoor spaces clean and safe, whether it’s dusting, getting rid of mould or installing smoke alarms. However, despite being recognised by the World Health Organization as the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, radon often remains overlooked. In fact, it’s estimated that only around 10-20% of UK adults are aware of radon and its associated health risks. In today’s blog, we’re going to be raising awareness about radon starting from the ground up.
So, where does radon come from?
All Rocks and Soils
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that forms underground through the decay of uranium and thorium, radioactive elements found in soil and rock. When uranium decays, it turns into radium, and then into radon gas. That gas can rise through the earth and enter buildings through cracks in foundations, floorboards, service gaps and even through some building materials. Radon gas can accumulate inside buildings to elevated levels. When inhaled at high concentrations over a long period of time, radon gas can damage the lining of your lungs, sometimes causing lung cancer and links with other serious health conditions such as heart problems and neurodegenerative diseases like dementia are also being researched.
While radon is present to some degree in all rocks and soils, it’s often found in higher concentrations in granite, limestones and permeable sandstones. Hence why Devon and Cornwall, areas rich in granite, have been assessed as areas highly likely to be affected by radon. That said, just because where you live might not be situated right on top of a bedrock of granite, this does not mean you are risk-free from radon. The only way to really know if your property is affected by radon is to seek out proper testing.
Other Contributing Factors:
- Type of Rock and Soil Composition: Certain types of rock, like granite, shale, and phosphate-rich stone, contain higher levels of uranium and thorium, meaning areas with these geological features are more likely to have elevated radon levels.
- Groundwater: Radon can dissolve in underground water sources and be released into the air when that water is used in the house.
- Seasonal Changes: In colder months, homes are more tightly sealed, which can allow radon to accumulate indoors to higher concentrations.
- Location and Soil Permeability: Radon moves more easily through sandy, porous soils than through dense clay, making some properties more susceptible to radon exposure.
- Climate Change: Warmer soil temperatures and changing rainfall patterns (from heavy rainfall to drought) can alter the permeability of ground beneath us. As a result, this affects the rate that radon can escape from the ground.
False Facts about Sources of Radon
Does my microwave emit radon?
No, microwave ovens do not emit radon. Microwaves use a man-made form of radiation (non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation) to heat food. This is different from the radioactive gas radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas.
Will my granite worktop emit radon?
No, granite and quartz worktops have no impact on the increase in radon gas in your home. Unfortunately, the radon industry is rife with fear-factor articles that have spread misinformation on this matter.
What about other appliances known to emit radiation, such as smoke alarms?
No household appliances have been found to have a significant effect on radon exposure in the home. As for smoke alarms, they do not emit radon. Some smoke alarms do use a sealed source of Americium-241 (man-made) that ionizes the air between two charged plates, creating a small electric current, but the radiation emitted is very small and completely contained within the smoke detector itself.
What You Can Do
Understanding where radon gas comes from goes hand in hand with understanding that the only real way to find out if your property is affected by radon is to conduct testing.
With PropertECO testing is simple, easy and affordable.
We recommend the following steps:
- Test your indoor air using our 3-month passive radon detectors. For larger property portfolios, please contact our team who will advise on testing services.
- If elevated levels of radon are found, a member of our team will reach out and advise on mitigation solutions.
Whether it’s for a workplace, school or your personal home, PropertECO is here to help with expert testing and mitigation services.
