Homeowners unaware of dangerous radon gas

Experts in the field of radon gas management have conducted a new study that reveals over 75% of people in Britain with home extension built underground are unaware of the dangers of radon gas before undertaking work on their property.

Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the UK and the new study hopes to raise awareness of the dangers of undetected radon for anybody considering basement excavations or dig-down home extensions and conversions.

Leading experts on radon gas control, PropertECO, commissioned a survey of nearly 3,000 homeowners in the UK. Of those respondents who had work of this nature done to their property, only 24% had been warned by the person carrying out the work about the possibility of radon being a potential issue. The remaining 76% were completely unaware of dangers associated with long-term exposure to the gas.

Those homeowners polled who hadn’t had underground work carried out on their property, 39% said they were aware of the dangers of radon to people living in a house with elevated levels and that it was a cause of cancer. 61% admitted they knew nothing more than the existence of radon as a chemical substance.

The British Standard ‘code of practice’ that should be followed when completing below ground waterproofing (something which all basement excavations or conversions require), states that design should take radon into account. This has been a requirement since 2009, meaning any homeowners who have had this type of work undertaken at their property in the last six years should have been made aware of radon.

Martin Freeman, MD of PropertECO said: ““Time and time again we hear stories of individuals who are completely unaware of radon and its associated risks, until it’s too late. It comes as a worrying statistic that so many homeowners who’ve made the decision to build under their properties are not given the facts on the dangers of radon exposure, and it is disappointing that building professionals are themselves either unaware of the requirements for protection under the British Standard, or simply choosing to ignore them.

“Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the ground and can enter properties. Long term exposure to high levels of radon can lead to lung cancer, and it is responsible for around 2000 lung cancer deaths in the UK every year.”

“Properties with basements are at increased risk, so it is very important that when new basements are being created, radon is taken into consideration to ensure a safe environment for the occupants. The only way to know if a building is affected is to carry out a radon test using a special detector upon occupation, which is why our team is so passionate about raising its awareness to homeowners up and down the UK.

“Basements can provide valuable extra living space and are an excellent way of extending a home, however they must be created in a way that ensures they are safe to occupy.”

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