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News Release from: Cavity Trays | Subject: Radiation exposure in UK homes
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 04 December 2007
Radiation exposure in UK homes
Men, women and children in households in the UK are being exposed to radiation levels that are at least ten times higher than the maximum limit set in other countries.
In reality the situation is possibly far worse It is acknowledged the exposure to X-rays must be kept to a minimum, as too much radiation can have adverse affects on the body
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 16 Jun 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Given this understanding, the question arises of why properties are being built in the UK that might be exposing purchasers to a radiation danger that is the equivalent of a chest X-ray every couple of days - year after year? The radiation in question comes from radon gas, which is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that originates from decaying soils and rocks in the ground.
When radon is in the open air it quickly dilutes to harmless concentrations.
But when radon is permitted to enter into a closed space such as a house, unacceptably high concentrations can accumulate.
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Fortunately, buildings can be constructed in a manner to prevent this happening.
The most straightforward approach is to incorporate an appropriate membrane under the ground floor of the structure.
The membrane is then attached and sealed to gas-grade barriers that are positioned through the skins and cavity of the external walls.
The arrangement creates a shield over the whole footprint of the building - so gas cannot rise and permeate (via cavities, walls, vents, etc) into the house.
Radon is everywhere - it is just the extent that varies.
The costs of introducing protection measures are low when a property is being built.
But there is a catch.
How do you know if the land upon which your house is to be constructed has (or is likely to have) radon emission at a problematic level? The land might be deemed satisfactory now, but will it in the future? Currently the UK does have areas identified as radon emitting.
In such areas the contractors should incorporate measures to protect the building and its inhabitants.
But it is folly to place reliance on all other areas remaining satisfactory or low risk.
Furthermore, ground and soil behaviour can change during the projected life of a structure.
The ongoing cycle of ground decay, movement and water permeation in areas previously thought to have minimal risk can change that status.
If the UK radon action level should be changed to follow the examples of other countries that deem our high level to be unacceptable, how saleable will existing homes then be? (If the current action UK level should be reduced at any time during the projected life of a new home, how would bringing all non-compliant housing stock into line with the safer lower level be addressed?) Some householders in already constructed properties have discovered they have unacceptably high levels present.
High levels that could have been prevented if the builder had built-in protective measures.
What is the safe way forward? Radon gas is measured in becquerels and the current UK level above which action must be taken is 200 Bq/m.
But it is questioned whether this level is far too high? In comparison the Netherlands action level is 20 Bq/m.
Alarmingly figures released by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) calculate a 200 Bq/m action level equates to the equivalent of 250 chest X-rays per year.
When viewed in this way, the undesirability of radon needs no further explanation.
Many house builders are constructing new homes with radon protection measures in place - regardless of the status of the land.
It's a belt and braces approach, but also a sensible and understandable one.
Why put occupants at possible risk when it can be avoided? Apart from giving the house owner and family peace of mind, the belt and braces approach does secure the developer and house builder a clearer path in the years ahead should liability issues arise? This philosophy has already been adopted in Ireland, where every new home without exception must incorporate radon protection measures.
New homes require documentation certifying the building is protected to a standard checked and approved by the prevailing local authority.
Without such paperwork, the building cannot be released for occupation.
In the UK householders continue to occupy buildings with levels of radioactivity that expose the occupants to the equivalent of a chest X-ray every couple of days.
One questions to what extent the current 2,500 avoidable deaths* each year from radon gas must increase before measures to protect inhabitants of buildings in the UK are introduced to match those already in place in many other counties?.
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