Radon Gas : The Facts - From the Radon Gas Experts Envirowise
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) - www.communities.gov.uk/hhsrs, a government assessment method
that focuses on the health and safety hazards present in housing, provides guidance on how to address the potential risks
to occupants in residential properties in England and Wales. Aimed at non-specialists the guidance explains the
requirements under the Housing Act 2004 in relation to the HHSRS and helps those affected to identify the type of work that
is needed on their properties to conform to the HHSRS requirements. Under the HHSRS, local authorities and landlords
have a duty to ensure that radon hazards in their properties are reduced.

Fortunately, radon levels are measurable and where necessary radon can be reduced by making modifications to your
property. That said, it is always advisable to use a specialist to ensure that remedial action is proven to be effective by
testing radon levels both before and after remediation.

Measuring radon
As radon levels in a property can vary significantly over time due to weather
conditions and seasonal changes tests should run over several months. As
such we recommend that a standard test should cover at least a three month
period.

Usually the process begins with the installation of small passive radon
monitors. The presence of radon causes invisible damage to the plastic
inside the detectors and these changes can be measured and used to
calculate the radon level. Analysis and the reporting of individual results are
entirely confidential.

Reducing radon
Several means to reduce radon are available today. Improving ventilation and
sealing floors and walls can reduce the presence of radon by up to 50% and so
are suitable for controlling low levels. Under-floor extract, mini sumps and
positive pressure ventilation systems are best. In terms of effectiveness
under-floor extract and mini sumps can reduce radon by 90%, while positive
pressure ventilation systems decrease it by 50 to 60%.



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