News Release
For immediate release
04 November 2025
Cheshire-based PropertECO backs call for urgent Government action on hidden radon threat as Radon Awareness Week begins
Cheshire-based radon specialists PropertECO support UK Radon Association’s call for national action to protect children and families. The UKRA has written an open letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, ahead of Radon Awareness Week 2025 (3rd–9th November), urging the Government to take decisive action against this “invisible killer”.
Radon experts PropertECO are backing the UK Radon Association’s (UKRA) call for urgent Government action on the hidden threat of radon gas, which causes over 1,100 lung cancer deaths every year in the UK. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Yet awareness and testing remain low, despite the gas being present in properties across much of the UK.
“Radon is an entirely preventable cause of lung cancer, and we already have the tools, knowledge, and technology to reduce exposure,” said Rebecca Coates, Head of Radon Projects and Co-Founder of PropertECO. “What’s missing is coordinated action and communication. Too many schools, nurseries, and homes have never been tested, even in known radon areas. That’s a gap we can close immediately.”
In its letter, the UKRA urges the Government to implement three key measures:
- Launch a nationwide radon communications campaign for schools, ensuring every school understands and fulfils its legal duty to assess and manage radon risks. Evidence suggests up to two-thirds of schools in radon-affected areas have never tested, leaving over 100,000 children potentially exposed to high levels of the gas.
- Extend awareness to nurseries and early years settings, many of which are privately run and have been overlooked in previous campaigns, despite the high vulnerability of young children.
- Provide radon information through local health services and health visitors, empowering families to understand the risks in their homes and take practical steps to protect themselves.
“Testing for radon is simple and affordable, and remediation is proven to work,” added Coates. “We see first-hand how effective even small improvements can be from better ventilation to specialist fan systems. The technology is there, but public awareness isn’t. That’s why we fully support the UKRA’s call for national leadership on this issue.”
Radon is a colourless, odourless radioactive gas formed naturally by the decay of uranium in rocks and soils. It can accumulate to harmful levels indoors, particularly in basements and ground-floor rooms. Prolonged exposure increases the risk of lung cancer and children are especially vulnerable, as their developing lungs absorb higher doses relative to body size.
Despite its serious health impact, radon remains a largely invisible issue in public health policy. The UKRA and PropertECO are using this year’s Radon Awareness Week (3rd–9th November), themed “Invisible Gas, Visible Risk”, to call for urgent government attention, stronger public communication, and renewed focus on protecting future generations.
ENDS
For media enquiries contact:
Seamus O’Keeffe
seamus@sourcepr.co.uk
07876030401
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the UKRA:
The UK Radon Association is the trade association representing professionals involved in radon testing, radon remediation and radon protection across the UK.
UK Radon Association members have all met stringent membership criteria and proven their technical knowledge and expertise in dealing with radon gas issues.
In addition to providing a professional body for such companies, the UK Radon Association also works to raise awareness of radon and provide easy-to-understand information on the subject.
The UK Radon Association acts as a focal point for the radon industry, providing opportunities to liaise with UK government departments and advisors, international counterparts and bodies such as WHO for the benefit of members and UK general public.
The UK Radon Association is run by a board of Directors. The current Chair is Dr Maria Dugdale.
