Important Radon advice for Anglesey residents

The Isle of Anglesey County Council's Environmental Health Section has just published a new leaflet on radon affected areas.

Entitled Radon in your home - don't live with the risk, the leaflet raises awareness about the naturally occuring radioactive gas which affects hundreds of homes on the Island.

Many people living on Anglesey are unaware of radon and consequently the health risks it poses.

Radon is produced by decaying uranium, an element found in varying amounts in all rocks and soils in the UK. The odourless, colourless and tasteless gas is the second most important cause of lung cancer after smoking: smoking is responsible for more than 28,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the UK; whilst radon causes around 1,100 deaths a year.

Principal Environmental Health Officer, Huw Thomas, said: "Despite the health dangers associated with radon, there is not enough public awareness about it. The gas can enter a building from the ground and accumulate, which makes it the largest source of radiation exposure to the public. Increased exposure can occur when the gas is allowed to enter houses through openings such as cracks at concrete floor-wall junctions, gaps in the floor and around service entry points."

The new leaflet, which has been produced in conjunction with the Health Protection Agency, contains a map of Anglesey that highlights radon affected areas and shows which areas have the higher values. It also explains how homewoners can take action to limit the amount of radon which can enter their home.

Environment portfolio holder, Councillor Bob Parry OBE added, "As a responsible Authority, we'd urge people to read our new leaflet and find out if they live in an area which could be affected by radon. If high levels of radon are found, there are thankfully a number of effective and simple remedial steps that householders can take."

The average radon level for all UK dwellings is 20 Bq m-3 (becquerels per metre cubed) and the Action Level is 200 Bq m-3. At or above the Action Level, remedial action to reduce radon is recommended.

The leaflet can be viewed on the Council's website at www.anglesey.gov.uk or alternativley you can pick up a copy at your local library, or contact the Council's Environmental Health Section on 01248 752820.

Posters showing information about the new leaflet are also being displayed at local leisure centres.