Radon
Radon testing in council homes
Some areas in Lincoln have been identified by the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to be a radon affected area which means they are at risk of having higher levels of radon gas.
The council is responsible for assessing the level of radon gas present and the risk within council properties so have introduced a programme of testing in these areas, to provide a better understanding of the impact and allow the council to prioritise any remedial work if necessary.
Radon in private homes
To see whether your home is in a radon affected area, you can use the UKradon map
If you live in an area likely to be affected by higher levels of radon,
You can get your property tested for radon
Testing is easy. You place a plastic detector about the size of a biscuit in your living room, another in your bedroom and leave them for three months. After that you post them back and your radon level is calculated. If the level is high, you can take steps to reduce radon levels in your home.
What is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring, colourless, odourless, gas which is formed in the ground and found everywhere in the UK. It seeps to the surface and can build up inside properties.
Radon gas is just one source of ionising radiation to which humans are exposed. It is part of the naturally occurring range of radioactive energy that is everywhere around us, in the ground, the air, the water, and even in our bodies. We come across it every day when we eat, drink, and breathe and through exposure to x-rays and sunlight.
How do I know if my property is affected?
The only way to be sure is to test. For council tenants, if your property is in an identified radon area, we may contact you directly and provide you with further information and a test kit.
The radon test
Testing is easy and everything will be supplied by the council to our tenants.
Tenants will receive:
- Two small radon monitors, one for your main living room and another for your main bedroom
- The test kit includes simple instructions explaining where to place the monitors.
The monitors stay in place for three months and are then returned for analysis. (Radon levels in houses vary substantially from day to day as they are influenced by weather conditions. Radon measurements are conducted over three months or more to average out short-term fluctuations).
After three months the council will collate the data and will inform you of the results. If high levels of radon gas are found, we will take action to reduce the levels.
What happens if levels in my home are high?
Once you have had the tests in your home for the three-month period, we will get in touch if further work or action is required. Work to reduce radon is very simple and won’t be too disruptive.
Further testing to monitor levels will continue to be carried out.
The amount of radon is measured in becquerels per cubic metre of air (Bq m-3). The average level in UK homes is 20 Bq m-3. For levels below 100 Bq m-3, your individual risk remains low and not a cause for concern. However, the risk increases as the radon level increases.
If testing shows that radon levels are above 200 Becquerels, action will be taken to reduce the levels within your home.
Where can I find further information?
More information can be found on the UKradon website
The UKradon website will provide more information in relation to:
- Health risks
- Levels and reduction
- Interactive map of radon-affected areas in the UK