This is why you should get your home tested for Radon

We all know about the dangers of asbestos (fortunately rare these days), but are you aware of the hidden risks of having high levels of Radon gas in your home?

Radon is a colourless, radioactive gas emitted when Uranium present in certain types of rock decays. Radon emissions are particularly associated with granite and other types of igneous rock, that is rock formed from cooled magma or lava. Radon emissions form radioactive particles that enter our respiratory system and settle in our lungs. Exposure to high levels of Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers in the UK, and is directly linked to 1,100 lung cancer deaths every year. 

South Devon and Cornwall have a known problem with Radon, and both counties have requirements for protective measures against the gas in buildings. Other areas of the UK considered to be at risk are Swansea, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Cumbria, Oxfordshire, Derbyshire, Richmond, Northamptonshire and North Lincolnshire. If you are concerned about Radon levels in your home, you can order a Radon test kit from  Public Health England.  

Radon levels can be reduced by installing an appropriate ventilation system in your home, such as the EnviroVent PIV ventilation system. It can help with reducing condensation and mould growth, too.  

'Radon Gas is one of those dangers that is not widely known about, yet its impact can be huge,' comments Richard Cage of EnviroVent. 'We are advising homeowners if they are concerned about Radon levels in their home to order a Radon test kit via the Public Health England website.  

'If levels are higher than recommended, then our Positive Input Ventilation systems can be effective in reducing Radon gas levels and therefore minimising the risks to occupants. These systems also help improve indoor air quality in the home, which helps to create a healthier living environment.'