Radon is a radioactive gas that can pose serious health risks if it accumulates to high levels in buildings. Managing radon effectively involves three main steps: check, measure, and act. Here's how to approach each step in the context of UK buildings:

1. Check:

Determine the Risk Level:

Identify Radon Affected Areas: Use the UK radon website https://www.ukradon.org/information/ukmaps, provided by Public Health England (PHE), to check if your building is in a radon-affected area. These areas are identified based on geological surveys and radon potential maps.
Historical Data: If available, review any historical radon measurements or remediation reports related to the property.

2. Measure: https://www.ukradon.org/services/orderdomestic

Conduct Radon Testing: https://www.ukradon.org/services/orderdomestic

Purchase Radon Test Kits: Obtain a radon test kit from a reputable supplier. These kits are usually passive devices that are left in place for a specified period (typically three months) to measure radon levels.
Placement: Follow the instructions to place the detectors in the lowest occupied areas of the building, such as basements or ground floor (living & bedroom) rooms.
Testing Period: Leave the detectors in place for the recommended duration to obtain an accurate measurement of the average radon concentration.

3. Act: https://www.ukradon.org/information/reducelevels

Mitigate Elevated Radon Levels:

Assess Results: Once the testing period is complete, send the detectors to a laboratory for analysis. Compare the results to the UK action level of 200 Bq/m³ (becquerels per cubic metre).
Mitigation Measures: If radon levels exceed the action level, consider the following steps:
Improving Ventilation: Increase ventilation in affected areas by opening windows, installing vents, or using fans.
Sealing Entry Points: Seal cracks and gaps in floors and walls to reduce radon ingress.
Radon Sump Systems: For higher radon levels, install a radon sump system. This involves creating a small void underneath the building and using a fan to draw out radon gas before it can enter the property.
Positive Pressure Systems: Install a positive pressure or positive supply ventilation system to prevent radon from entering the building by maintaining slightly higher air pressure inside.

Professional Help:

Consult Professionals: For significant radon issues, seek advice and services from certified radon mitigation specialists who can conduct a detailed assessment and recommend effective remediation techniques. https://www.ukradon.org/contactform

Three steps to manage radon in buildings- check, measure, act