Council tenants are to being encouraged to learn more about Radon gas and its potentially harmful effects.
Anglesey County Council’s Housing Service is taking steps to prevent tenants from being exposed to the naturally-occurring radioactive gas.
Radon is produced by decaying uranium, an element found in varying amounts in all rocks and soils in the UK. High levels of this odourless, colourless and tasteless gas increase the risk of lung cancer in places where we live and work, and cause over 1000 cases of lung cancer each year, making it the second most important cause of lung cancer after smoking.
However, simple, and generally effective, remedial measures can be taken in areas where radon levels are found to be high.
Anglesey tenants – and other interested residents – can visit the Main Reception at the Council’s head office in Llangefni on March 30-31 to ask questions and learn more about Radon gas. Officers from the Housing Service and Environmental Health Section will be on hand between 10.00am and 3.00pm.
Newly appointed Head of Housing Services, Shan Ll. Williams, explained, “Despite the health risks associated with Radon, there is still a general lack of public awareness about it. As a responsible Authority, we will be providing our Council tenants with information about Radon gas and advice about ways they can detect it in their homes.”
Council tenants living in parts of the Island with elevated Radon gas levels will receive two special monitors to measure levels. These should be placed on the ground floor at breathing height in the living room and hall. Radon levels will then be measured over a three-month period, before being sent away for further analysis.
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. This could include improving ventilation within a building.
Housing portfolio holder, Councillor William I Hughes, added, “I would encourage Council tenants to visit the Council’s head office on March 30 and 31st to learn more about Radon gas. By taking a number of simple steps, we can help tenants reduce the risk of exposure to Radon gas on Anglesey.”
A leaflet containing further information about radon gas can be viewed on the Council’s website at www.anglesey.gov.uk or contact the Council’s Environmental Health Section on 01248 752820.
