For National Storytelling Week, we’re encouraged to share the stories that shape our understanding of the world around us.
When it comes to radon, the most important stories are often the ones that go unheard, notbecause they aren’t serious, but because radon itself gives no warning signs at all.
Radon has no smell.
It can’t be seen.
You won’t feel it in the air or notice it building up.
And yet, it is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers in the UK.
Radon doesn’t tell its own story. The only way to uncover it is to test.
A Home That Looked Perfect
It’s a story we see time and time again.
A homeowner moves into a property that looks ideal. It might be a well-maintained family home, a modern new build, or a house that’s just been freshly renovated.
Everything feels safe, and ready to enjoy.
Radon isn’t on their radar, and why would it be? There’s no visible sign that anything is wrong.
At some point, often prompted by a recommendation, a postcode check, or simple curiosity, a radon test is ordered. Passive detectors are placed discreetly in the home and left for three months – the UK gold standard for radon testing.
Life carries on as normal.
When the Results Come Back
When the test results arrive, the story changes.
In some cases, radon levels are comfortably low, reassurance that the home is safe and no action is needed. In others, results show elevated radon concentrations, sometimes well above the UK action level of 200 Bq/m³.
This is often the moment of surprise. The home hasn’t changed. The air feels the same. Nothing smells different.
But the test has revealed a hidden risk that would otherwise have remained completely undetected.
Why Radon Stays Invisible
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released from the ground as uranium breaks down in rocks and soil. It can enter buildings through cracks in floors, gaps around pipes, construction joints, or even through the pores of some building materials.
New homes aren’t immune. Older properties aren’t exempt. Radon levels can vary dramatically between neighbouring buildings.
This is why radon has such a powerful, and dangerous, ability to stay unnoticed. Without testing, there is no story, no warning, and no obvious reason to act.
Changing the Ending
The reassuring part of this story is that radon is manageable.
Where elevated levels are found, proven mitigation solutions can significantly reduce radon concentrations, often quickly and effectively. Once mitigation is in place, follow-up testing confirms that the measures have worked, turning an unknown risk into a controlled one.
For many homeowners, this moment brings something invaluable, peace of mind.
For workplaces, it means protecting employees and meeting legal responsibilities.
Why Testing Is the Beginning, Not the End
A radon test isn’t about creating fear, it’s about knowledge.
Testing tells the story radon can’t:
This is why regular radon testing is recommended, especially after moving home, carrying out building work, or spending more time indoors.
Start the Story Where It Matters Most
For National Storytelling Week, the most important radon stories aren’t dramatic headlines, they’re the quiet, everyday ones happening in homes, schools and workplaces across the UK.
Radon doesn’t give warnings, but testing gives answers.
Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or employer, the only way to know your radon risk is to measure it. A three-month passive radon test provides the most accurate picture of radon levels in a property, and if elevated levels are found, digital radon monitors can help you track changes and manage radon long-term.
At PropertECO, we’re here to guide you at every stage, from testing and understanding your results to advising on next steps if action is needed.
Don’t leave your indoor air quality to chance.
Test, understand, and take control.
👉 Explore radon test kits and monitors at radonshop.co.uk
👉 Or speak to our team for expert advice on testing and mitigation
