What Is Radon Testing?
Radon testing is the process of checking the level of Radon gas inside a property. A naturally occurring radioactive gas, Radon forms when tiny amounts of Uranium in rocks and soil undergo radioactive decay. It cannot be seen, smelt, or tasted, which means testing is the only reliable way to detect it.
In the UK, Radon can enter homes through cracks in floors, walls, foundations, and gaps around pipes, particularly in areas with certain geological conditions.
Testing is usually carried out using small radon detectors placed in the home or office for a set period, often between 10 and 90 days, depending on the type of test.
At Jarvis Nuclear, our experienced, certified Radiation Protection Advisers (RPA) provide professional, actionable advice on Radon risk, measurement, and strategies in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, and Dorset. To help raise awareness of the invisible danger posed by Radon gas in the UK, we decided to put together a comprehensive guide on Radon testing.
Continue reading to find out why you need to test for Radon and what Radon Testing Kits and services are available.
The Importance of Measuring Radon
The UK Health Security Agency recommends testing properties in areas where Radon levels are more likely to be high, as long-term exposure can increase the risk of lung cancer. Since measurement is the only way to determine if a building has a high Radon level, we recommend that you arrange a test if you live or work in a Radon Affected Area,
Furthermore, if you are looking to sell your property, property surveys now often ask if a Radon measurement has been taken.
Measuring Radon at Home
To ensure a house sale proceeds without additional delays, consider measuring Radon concentration before you put the property on the market. Radon testing will indicate if there is an issue, and this will give you the opportunity to reduce the risk whilst you and your family live in the house.
What Is a Radon Bond?
If you are looking to buy a home, we would recommend asking your legal team about a Radon Bond. This enables a small percentage of the sale price to be held back for a period of time to enable Radon measurements to be made.
If remediation is required, the funds from the Radon Bond can be used for this purpose. One additional benefit of the Radon Bond is that it allows you to measure Radon levels when you are in the property, thus reflecting the way in which you use the property rather than the previous occupier.
Measuring Radon at Work
Radon measurements don’t stop at home. All businesses need to assess risk to their employees and visitors, and this includes the risk from Radon. If you are in a Radon Affected Area, you should look to measure the Radon levels in order to determine whether health and safety regulations (Ionising Radiations Regulations) apply.
Failure to assess the risk or act on the output of the risk assessment puts your employees at risk and could lead to prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive. What’s more, employees may also seek compensation if they can demonstrate they have been affected.
What Types of Radon Testing Kits Are Available?
When considering your options, we always recommend opting for a long-term passive detector or a calibrated electronic detector. If you intend to do something with the results – for instance, carry out a risk assessment or remediation work – it’s best to use passive detectors.
Electronic detectors are available and are useful to monitor trends in Radon concentration. They are especially helpful in a dynamic working environment (e.g., construction or renovation work) where a long-term test may not be practical. As a general rule of thumb, we suggest using electronic detectors that have been calibrated by an accredited laboratory.
At Jarvis Nuclear, we have passive electronic detectors for short- and long-term measurement available for purchase. These detectors are analysed by an accredited, UK-based laboratory.
Here are their main features and benefits.
Long-Term Radon Detector Kit
Our Long-Term Radon Test Kit contains two passive detectors designed to accurately measure Radon levels in both residential and commercial properties. Available for delivery across the UK, the kit is suitable for property inspections, risk assessments, and helping determine whether remedial action may be required.
After a 90-day testing period, simply return the detectors to our supplier’s accredited laboratory. You will then receive a report detailing the measured Radon level along with a seasonally adjusted annual average concentration.
Short-Term Radon Detector Kit
Our Short-Term Radon Test Kit includes two passive detectors for measuring Radon levels in domestic and commercial properties. After the 10-day testing period, all you have to do is return the detectors for analysis.
Bear in mind that this kit is intended only to provide an indication of Radon levels and should not be relied upon for risk assessments or remediation decisions. For more accurate results suitable for property purchases, formal assessments, or mitigation planning, please consider our Long-Term (90-Day) Radon Test Kit.
When to Test for Radon
If you use passive detectors for long-term measurements (90 days), measurements can be done at any time of the year. The results will be seasonally adjusted to provide an estimate of annual concentration.
For more accurate results, we recommend that the measurement period avoid or minimise any periods during which the building may be unoccupied or not used to its usual occupancy level (for instance, school buildings during summer holidays).
Some of our clients ask:
‘I don’t have 90 days to complete the test. What options are available?’
If you are pressed for time, you can complete a short-term test (typically 10 days, as we mentioned earlier) using our reliable passive detectors. However, you should keep in mind that Radon levels vary by the hour, day, and season. Therefore, the results from a short-term measurement will very much depend on when you measure.
If you measure on a hot summer’s day when the windows are open and the heating is off, for example, the results will be very different from those on a cold winter’s day when the windows are shut and the heating is on.
Where in the UK Is Radon High?
Higher levels of Radon are found in certain parts of the UK where the underlying geology contains more natural Uranium. Areas with the highest Radon potential are commonly located in the South West of England, particularly Cornwall and Devon, as well as parts of Somerset, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire, and the Peak District.
Additionally, elevated Radon levels can also occur in parts of Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, especially in rural or granite-rich regions.
The UK Health Security Agency provides an interactive Radon map showing areas where homes are more likely to exceed the Action Level. You can use it to search by town or postcode to check the Radon levels in your area.
However, Radon levels can vary significantly even between neighbouring properties. As such, Radon testing is recommended regardless of whether a property is located inside or outside a recognised Radon Affected Area.
Radon Testing & Expert Radon Services in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset & Dorset from Jarvis Nuclear
At Jarvis Nuclear, we can provide passive Radon Testing Kits for short or long-term measurement, which are analysed by an accredited laboratory. When the detectors have been analysed, we can offer advice on whether any further actions are necessary.
For homes and businesses in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, and Dorset, we can advise whether remediation needs to be considered. While we don’t offer a remediation service, we can provide a list of organisations that do.
In addition, we can support businesses and educational establishments in these areas with the completion of a radiation (Radon) risk assessment if the Radon levels are above the workplace Action Level.
We can also be appointed as Radiation Protection Advisors (RPA), and we offer Radon awareness and Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) training customised to your specific requirements.
To find out more about our Radon Testing Services and/or Radon Testing Kits, please call us on 07587 167711 or email us by filling in our contact form.
