When searching for a new home, ensuring both physical health and harmonious living is essential. One often overlooked factor in home safety is radon (Rn), a naturally occurring radioactive noble gas that can pose significant health risks. High levels of radon can accumulate indoors, leading to an increased risk of lung cancer, especially in certain geographical areas (see the UK map below). Incorporating radon testing into the home selection process aligns perfectly with the principles of feng shui, which emphasises the importance of a healthy and balanced environment. By addressing radon levels alongside traditional feng shui practices, prospective homeowners can create a living space that not only feels energetically balanced but is also safe and conducive to long-term health. This approach combines scientific vigilance with ancient wisdom, ensuring a home that supports well-being on all levels.
In the UK, radon levels vary significantly across different regions due to geological differences. Radon is more prevalent in areas with certain types of bedrock, such as granite.
Areas in the UK with High Radon Levels
Some of the regions with the highest radon levels include:
- Southwest England: Cornwall and Devon are known for their high radon levels due to the granite bedrock.
- Derbyshire: The Peak District area has elevated radon levels, particularly in homes built on limestone.
- Northamptonshire: This area also experiences higher radon levels.
- Scotland: Certain parts, especially in the Scottish Highlands and around Aberdeen, show higher radon concentrations.
- Wales: Some regions, particularly in the southwest, have elevated levels of radon.
In Somerset, radon levels vary significantly across different areas. Some regions have higher concentrations of radon due to the underlying geology, which contains uranium that decays into radon gas. Here are some specific details about radon levels in Somerset:
- Bath and North East Somerset: This area has varying levels of radon, with some parts showing between a 1% to 30% chance of homes having radon levels above the action level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre. Bath itself generally has lower levels compared to more rural surroundings.
- Cheddar: This area shows between a 1% to 30% chance of homes being above the action level, indicating a moderate risk.
- Frome: Patches around Frome, particularly near Spring Gardens, Egford, and Oldford, have a 5% to 10% chance of high radon levels.
- Glastonbury: This area has some of the highest radon concentrations in Somerset, with certain parts showing a greater than 30% chance of exceeding the action level.
- Shepton Mallet and Midsomer Norton: Both areas are predominantly dark on the radon map, indicating a significant risk, with more than 30% of homes potentially having high radon levels.
- Weston-super-Mare: Some areas in Weston-super-Mare have a 10% to 30% chance of high radon levels.
- Taunton: This area generally has lower radon levels, with a minimal percentage of homes at or above the action level.
To determine the exact radon risk in a specific property, it’s advisable to conduct a radon test. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the British Geological Survey (BGS) provide detailed radon maps and testing kits to help homeowners and landlords assess and mitigate radon risks.
For more detailed information and to check radon levels in your specific area, you can visit the UK Radon website or the British Geological Survey (British Geological Survey) (Ukradon) (Somerset Council) (Somerset Live) (Somerset Live).
Living in Radon Affected Areas
If you are considering moving to or living in these areas, it’s crucial to take measures to test and mitigate radon levels in homes and buildings. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the British Geological Survey (BGS) have published detailed maps showing radon-affected areas, which can help you determine the risk level in a specific location.
Recommendations
- Testing: It is advised to test radon levels in homes, especially in high-risk areas. Testing kits are available and provide an average radon level for a property.
- Mitigation: If radon levels are found to be high (above the action level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre), various mitigation measures can be taken, such as improving ventilation or installing radon sumps.
For more detailed and specific information, you can visit the UK Radon website and the British Geological Survey for the latest maps and guidance on radon levels in different areas of the UK.
Radon testing equipment and services in the UK are quite accessible and not overly expensive. Here’s a breakdown of costs and types of monitors you can use:
Cost of Radon Testing Equipment
- Radon Risk Report: This preliminary report costs about £3.90 and tells you if your home is in a high-risk area for radon. You can order it through the UK Radon website (Ukradon).
- Radon Test Kits: The cost for a standard radon test kit, which includes two detectors to be placed in your home for three months, is typically around £52.80. This includes the cost of laboratory analysis and the results report(Ukradon) (Checkatrade).
- Professional Radon Testing: Hiring a professional for radon testing can be more expensive, generally ranging from £125 to £400, depending on the size of the property and the complexity of the testing required (Checkatrade)(Ukradon).
Types of Radon Monitors
- Passive Radon Detectors: These are simple devices that you leave in place for a specified period (usually three months). After the testing period, you send them to a lab for analysis. They are reliable and provide an average radon level over time, which is important because radon levels can fluctuate (PropertECO Radon).
- Active Radon Detectors: These are more sophisticated, electronic devices that continuously monitor radon levels and can provide instant readings. Examples include:
- Airthings 223 Corentium Home Portable Radon Detector: A battery-operated device that offers both long- and short-term radon level readings.
- Airthings 2930 Wave Plus Radon & Air Quality Monitor: A smart device that provides continuous readings and can connect to your smartphone for real-time monitoring (Bob Vila).
Recommendations
- Long-Term Testing: For the most accurate results, it is recommended to use long-term test kits (three months) because they average out daily fluctuations in radon levels (PropertECO Radon).
- Short-Term Testing: If you need quicker results, there are short-term test kits available, but these are generally less reliable due to the variability of radon levels (Ukradon).
Overall, radon testing is relatively affordable and straightforward, with options ranging from simple passive detectors to advanced continuous monitors. If high radon levels are detected, mitigation measures can be implemented to reduce radon concentrations in your home, ensuring a safer living environment (Radon Association) (Bob Vila).
Among the noble gases, radon is considered the most dangerous due to its radioactive properties.
Radon: the most dangerous noble gas
Radioactivity and Health Risks: Radon (Rn) is a radioactive gas that emanates from the natural decay of uranium found in soil and rocks. It is colourless, odourless, and tasteless, making it difficult to detect without specialised equipment. When inhaled, radon decay products can damage lung tissue and increase the risk of lung cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have identified radon as a leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, second only to cigarette smoking (Kirkus Reviews) (Jornada).
Presence and Exposure: Radon can accumulate in homes and buildings, particularly in basements and ground floors, due to its infiltration from the ground. Testing and mitigation are recommended in areas known for high radon concentrations to reduce exposure (Kirkus Reviews).
Other Noble Gases
The other noble gases—helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon—are generally considered non-toxic and chemically inert. However, they can still pose risks under certain conditions:
- Asphyxiation: In enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, high concentrations of these gases can displace oxygen, leading to asphyxiation. This is particularly a concern in industrial settings where large quantities of these gases might be used or stored.
- Cryogenic Burns: Helium, when used in its liquid form, can cause severe cryogenic burns due to its extremely low temperature.
- Anaesthesia: Xenon, while non-toxic, can act as an anaesthetic at high concentrations. It has been studied for medical applications but must be used with care.
In summary, while most noble gases are not harmful under normal conditions, radon poses significant health risks due to its radioactivity, and others can present hazards in specific industrial or enclosed environments.
What are the noble gases?
Noble gases are a group of chemical elements that are characterised by their lack of reactivity due to having a full valence shell of electrons. This group is located in Group 18 (formerly Group 0) of the periodic table and includes helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and radon (Rn) (The Fussy Librarian) (Literary Hub).
The primary properties of noble gases are:
- Low Reactivity: Noble gases are chemically inert because their outermost electron shell is full. This means they rarely form chemical compounds under normal conditions (Kirkus Reviews).
- Colourless and Odourless: These gases are colourless and odourless in both their gaseous and liquid states.
- Low Boiling Points: They have low boiling points, which decrease as you move down the group from helium to radon.
- Monatomic Gases: Noble gases exist as single atoms rather than molecules, making them monatomic.
Applications of Noble Gases:
- Helium: Used in balloons and as a coolant in cryogenics due to its low boiling point.
- Neon: Commonly used in neon signs and high-voltage indicators.
- Argon: Used in welding and in incandescent and fluorescent lighting to prevent the oxidation of the filament.
- Krypton and Xenon: Used in lighting, such as in high-intensity discharge lamps, and in some types of photographic flashes.
- Radon: Although it is radioactive, it has been used in some forms of cancer treatment.
These gases play essential roles in various scientific and industrial applications due to their unique properties.
