For decades, asbestos was seen as Britain’s silent killer. It was widely used, poorly understood, and its risks were dangerously underestimated. Despite early scientific warnings, it took years, and thousands of lives, before its risks were acknowledged and regulated.
Today, another invisible hazard is quietly accumulating in our homes, schools and workplaces: radon gas.
Like asbestos once was, radon remains widely ignored, even though the UK’s health agencies have been clear on the danger for years.
What We Learned From the Asbestos Crisis
The asbestos story didn’t become a crisis overnight, it built slowly, over decades of warnings that went unheeded. Several striking parallels now exist with radon:
- Early scientific warnings were dismissed
Asbestos related diseases were documented as early as the 1930s. Yet its use continued and widespread regulation didn’t come until much later, by which time the damage had been done.
Radon is following the same path. The risks have been well established since the 1980s, yet many buildings in high-risk areas still haven’t been properly and regularly tested.
- Invisible hazards are easy to ignore
Asbestos fibres couldn’t be seen. Radon gas can’t be seen, smelled or tasted.
The result? A sense of “if I can’t see it, it can’t be dangerous.”
- Health impacts are delayed, sometimes by decades
Asbestos related illnesses such as mesothelioma often take 20–50 years to develop.
Similarly, radon exposure increases the risk of lung cancer over time, not overnight.
This delay creates a false reassurance that no immediate problem exists.
Radon: The Hidden Hazard We Still Underestimate
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium in rocks and soil. It enters buildings through small gaps and can accumulate to dangerous levels indoors.
Despite being the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and responsible for around 1,100 UK deaths per year, public testing remains remarkably low.
Even in high-risk regions, many homeowners have never tested their properties. And despite clear legal duties for employers under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17), many workplaces remain unaware and non-compliant.
Like asbestos once was, radon is often overlooked until after a high reading is found or worse, until someone becomes ill.
Why Radon Risk Is Often Misunderstood
Several misconceptions still prevent people from testing:
- “If it was dangerous, someone would tell me.”
Unfortunately, radon awareness isn’t widespread enough yet, and there is no automatic notification system for homeowners.
- “My house is new.”
Radon affects all building types, new builds, old homes, well-ventilated, airtight, large or small.
- “I don’t live in a high-risk area.”
Even low-risk regions can contain individual high-radon buildings.
The only way to know is to test.
- “Mitigation must be expensive.”
Most radon issues can be fixed affordably and quickly.
The cost of doing nothing is far higher, financially and medically.
Radon Has All the Ingredients for the Next Building Safety Reckoning
Just like asbestos, radon carries three dangerous characteristics:
- It’s invisible
People don’t fix what they can’t see.
- It causes serious long-term illness
Radon exposure increases lung cancer risk, significantly more for smokers and former smokers.
- There is a growing gap between scientific knowledge and real-world action
This is exactly the type of gap that historically leads to health scandals.
As with asbestos, the danger isn’t just the hazard itself, it’s the decades long delay in addressing it.
Why Now Is the Time to Act
Unlike with asbestos, we have an opportunity to prevent a crisis before it escalates.
- Testing is simple and inexpensive.
- Mitigation is effective and long-lasting.
- Digital radon monitors provide ongoing reassurance.
- Regulations are already in place for workplaces and could expand further in future.
The tools exist. The knowledge exists. All that’s missing is widespread awareness and action.
What Property Owners Should Do Today
Whether you manage housing, oversee workplaces, or simply want to protect your family, the steps are straightforward:
- Test your building
We recommend the 3-month passive detectors. A 3-month test gives the most accurate results of the radon levels in the property.
- Act on high results
Radon sumps, ventilation systems and positive pressure units can dramatically reduce levels. Our radon experts will recommend the best solution.
- Retest after mitigation
This confirms the system is working and ensures long-term safety.
- Stay informed, not reactive
Buildings change over time, radon management should be ongoing. Levels can be monitored with a digital radon monitor like the EcoQube Smart Radon Monitor or EcoBlu Digital Radon Monitor
The asbestos crisis taught the world a painful lesson, ignoring a silent, invisible hazard only delays the inevitable and amplifies the human and financial cost.
The responsibility belongs to all of us, homeowners, employers, landlords, developers, and policymakers. Protecting people from radon isn’t just about compliance, it’s about preventing another avoidable building safety scandal.
