Radon Awareness Week: Protecting Homes and Workplaces from an Invisible Risk

L2 Business Consulting Limited, a HSE recognised Radiation Protection Body (RPA), are using Radon Awareness Week 2025 to highlight an important issue – Radon Gas in our homes and workplaces. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps from the ground, particularly in areas with certain underlying geology. Radon-222 Gas decays to produce a series of decay products which emits radioactive particles that can be dangerous to humans is inhaled over long periods. Radon Gas cannot be seen, smelt, or tasted, yet it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the UK after smoking. It will accumulate indoors unless there is adequate ventilation in homes and workspaces.

The good news is that finding out whether you might be at risk is simple, you can start by searching for a specific building above ground using the UK Radon Map (www.ukradon.org) which will help provide an initial assessment of Radon Gas potential for the building. While not every building in a higher-risk area will necessarily have elevated levels, the map gives a valuable first indication of whether Radon Gas testing may be needed. If Radon Gas levels are found to be elevated , there are well-established methods for reducing exposure by improving ventilation including use of passive ventilation such as air bricks and grilles, extract fans, Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) systems and Radon Gas Sump under the floor/ground of the building.

At L2 Business Consulting, our role as RPAs is to support Employers in managing Radon Gas risk effectively and responsibly. We work across a wide range of sectors helping our clients measure, monitor and control Radon Gas.

Appointment and advice is required from an RPA if work is carried out in an atmosphere containing Radon Gas at an annual average activity concentration in air exceeding 300 Bq/m3, it also requires that Employers notify the applicable regulator in Great Britain or Northern Ireland. Employers are required to have a robust strategy in place to protect employees and others from exposure to Radon Gas. This normally starts in the first instance working with an RPA to develop a suitable Radiation Risk Assessment supported by a suitable Radon Gas Monitoring Programme. With robust Radon Gas concentration data, the RPA can then work with the Employer to determine if Mitigation Measures are required, and if so, the most effective methods to help reduce Radon Gas concentrations.

We encourage everyone to take Radon Awareness Week as an opportunity to check their risk on the UK Radon Map as the first step and if needed, to seek expert advice. If you would like support in assessing or managing Radon Gas in your organisation, the L2 Business Consulting team is here to help regarding:

• Radon Gas Risk Mapping
• Design of Radon Monitoring Programme
• Implementation of Radon Monitoring Programme
• Dose Assessments
• Support for HSE Notification
• Development of Radiation Risk Assessments
• Advice on Mitigation Measures including the requirements for examination, maintenance and test
• Radon Awareness and Radiation Protection Supervisor Training