Planning Practice Note:
Radon Information
INTRODUCTION
South Shropshire District Council is committed to continuous improvement to its services through "Best Value" initiatives.
This is one of a series of Pracitce Notes, intended to help provide to provide the highest possible quality of service to applicatns for planning permission and the general public.
This leaflet gives information about Radon, and what needs to be done to reduce the risks of its adverse effects on health.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS PRACTICE NOTE
Much of South Shropshire is an area in which there is a risk buildings may be affected by Radon.
This Practice Note gives information about:
- the nature of Radon;
- its potential effects on health;
- the areas of South Shropshire at risk;
- what needs to be done to protect against Radon in:
- existing buildings;
- new buildings;
- what the likely costs of works will be;
- where to get further advice.
The purpose of the Practice Note is, therefore, to:
- increase awareness of Radon amongst those proposing new buildings and works to existing buildings;
- increase the incidence of effective Radon control being designed into proposals for development in areas of risk.
What is Radon?
Radon is a colourless, odourless, radioactive gas which can enter buildings from the underlying soil where it occurs naturally. It accounts for about 50% of the exposure of the UK population to radiation.
How does Radon affect health?
Health studies around the world have indicated that prolonged exposure to Radon above the 'Action Level' increases the lifetime risk of lung cancer from 1 in 1000 to:
- 1 in 100 for most people, but
- 1 in 10 in the case of a smoker of 15 or more cigarettes per day.
How is Radon detected and measured?
Radon is usually measured, over a 3 month period, using special detectors and its concentration is measured in bequerels per cubic metre of air (Bq m-3).
The background and Action Levels are as follows:
- Average UK level in dwellings = 20 Bq m-3
- Action Level for dwellings = 200 Bq m-3
- Action Level for workplaces = 400 Bq m-3
For further information regarding testing, please contact the Council's Environment and Community Services Division (01584 813377).
When were concerns first raised?
The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) undertook research in the 1970s and 1980s which gave rise to the concept of the 'Radon Affected Area' (RAA).
RAAs have been designated as research warranted:
- 1990 - Devon and Cornwall;
- 1992 - parts of Derbyshire and Somerset and all of Northamptonshire;
- 1996 - other areas including 85% of South Shropshire.
The take-up of advice and remediation in South Shropshire has progressed considerably in recent years.
Radon Affected Areas in South Shropshire
Most of South Shropshire is in a RAA. The area to the east of the Clee Hills, an area north and north west of Church Stretton and another around Marton in the north of the District are excluded.
More detailed advice on which areas are affected may be obtained from the Environmental and Community Services Division (01584) 813377 or e-mail the housing section at the address below.
Protecting existing buildings
Until a test is carried out in an existing building the method of remediation required (if any) will not be known. In the case of workplaces, an avoidance strategy may be more appropriate than modifications to the building.
The most comprehensive protection will be gained from the installation of an underfloor sump.
Alterations to the ventilation of a building may resolve lower levels of Radon.
Various alternative measures are available. Advice on these may be obtained from the Council's Environment and Community Services Division (01584) 813377 or e-mail the housing section at the address below.
Listed buildings
Where Radon protection is to be provided in a listed building, care will be required to preserve the character and appearance of the building. No such works should take place without advice from the Council's Conservation Officer (01584) 813355.
Designing protection into new buildings
In relevant areas of South Shropshire, protection must be incorporated in new dwellings (including conversions of buildings to dwellings and extensions to dwellings over 30m2 in floor area). Protection is encouraged in any other new construction.
Basic Radon protection for new dwellings involves the provision of an enhanced damp-proof membrane to the ground floor. Full Radon protection involves the enhanced membrane and ventilation under the floor, in conjunction with a specially designed structural floor slab.
Unless it has been shown that a lesser standard is required, full protection is now required by the Building Regulations in relevant areas.
Changes to building techniques, encouraged by the cost of spoil removal from building sites, have led to the extensive use of beam and block floors. These generally address the requirement for full Radon protection. If developers approach the Council's Building Control Section before starting work, appropriate measures can readily be used in the design of the proposal (01584 813369).
The cost of protection against Radon
The cost of protecting existing buildings against Radon need not be great. Typical measure include:
- underfloor sump: £750;
- positive whole-house ventilation: £450;
- increased underfloor ventilation: £350.
In some cases modification of existing ventilation may be carried out for considerably less.
For further advice on appropriate solutions for existing buildings contact the Council's Environment and Community Services Division (01584) 813377 or e-mail the housing section at the address below.
The cost of protecting new buildings (which include conversions to dwellings and extensions of more than 30m2 floor area) against Radon will often be negligible if the protection is built in to the design at the outset.
For further advice on appropriate solutions for new buildings contact the Council's Building Control Section (01584 813369).
Where to obtain further advice
General advice on Radon may be obtained from the National Radiological Protection Board. (NRPB). You may request an information pack on the telephone (24 hours' service) 0800 614529.
On 1 April 2005 the National Radiological Protection Board merged with the Health Protection Agency forming its new Radiation Protection Division
- Health Protection Agency Website (External link)
Advice on Radon tests and requests for them to be carried out with payment by credit card may be made by telephoning (01235) 822622.
Local advice on Radon protection for existing buildings may be obtained from the Council's Environment and Community Division (01584) 813377 or e-mail
Local advice on Radon protection for new buildings (which include conversions to dwellings and extensions of more than 30m2 floor area) may be obtained from the Council's Building Control Section (01584 813369).
Advice on constructional techniques for Radon protection may be obtained from the Building Research Establishment (BRE) (01923) 664707
- Building Research Establishment (BRE) Website (External link)
© Copyright South Shropshire District Council,
Stone House, Corve Street,
Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 1DG.
Tel: (01584) 813000
Fax: (01584) 813128
e-mail: planning@southshropshire.gov.uk
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Subscribe to changes to this page here.Author: Planning and Building Control. Last Updated: 9/11/2007.
