Potential
Liability - Housing and Commercial Construction
New
Radon Report Identifies Risk
This week (21st
July 2009) new evidence has been released linking lung cancer risk with radon
gas. It is understood the World Health Organisation and other bodies are
reviewing and revising the action levels for radon in buildings.
Radon is an
invisible colourless gas with no smell. It is emitted from the ground and can
enter and accumulate within buildings. It cannot escape easily because modern
construction is becoming more highly insulated. Window and door openings are
also now being manufactured to standards that eliminate gaps and draughts. A
sealed box approach to building is becoming the norm.
Radon
accumulation within a building is undesirable. It was previously declared that
in excess of 2000 avoidable deaths per year occur in the UK because of radon
gas. Measures must be taken to protect structures (and thus their inhabitants)
from the effect of radon.
The extent of
radon emission from the ground is measured in becquerels and the current action
level for dwellings is 200 becquerels. This means if the level in a house
exceeds 200 becquerels procedures should be taken to remove or minimise the
risk. It is claimed exposure at 200 becquerels can be compared with receiving a
chest x-ray (radiation) every couple of days.
In the workplace
the action level is not 200 becquerels, but 400 becquerels. This is possibly
because it is considered any individual will normally occupy any commercial
property for only part of any 24-hour day? So based on an average working day
of 8 hours, one might be exposed to the double figure of 400 becquerels for a
third of every day.
But having a higher action level for commercial premises
compared with domestic dwellings is ill advised? It first assumes the current
domestic level (200) is acceptable, and then assumes twice as high a level is
tolerable because one’s time within commercial premises will be limited. But
commercial premises can include such structures as hotels, nursing homes,
residential homes, boarding schools etc. Such buildings have occupancy levels
of up to 24 hours every day so the two tiered action level approach is flawed.
If a lower action level is being considered by the World Health Organisation it
suggests the UK levels might soon change. Radon gas is present everywhere and
it is only the extent that varies from area to area. It would seem appropriate
to have just one revised lower becequerel figure, rather than two. A lower and
safer action level that applies to all structures, regardless of function?
In the UK the Radon Council is responsible for promoting
excellent guidance and understanding of radon issues and it has already
identified this imbalance. The Council, of which Cavity Trays Ltd is a member
is campaigning for the Building Regulations to tackle radon issues more
thoroughly so recognised industry standards and levels of protection applied to
structures are agreed and implemented. Such measures could so easily reduce the
current exposure to risk in the UK. A risk that it is acknowledged is
responsible for the deaths of a large number of people in the UK every year.
Cavity Trays of
Yeovil designs and manufactures barriers, membranes and associated products for
the control of radon in domestic, commercial and industrial buildings. A
Company spokesman commented:
‘Developers
have a duty of care. In the interests of health and safety and potential
liability, we recommend structures always incorporate measures to protect the
inhabitants from the effects of radon gas. In Ireland structures are required
to have radon protection measures – and the qualifying documents form part of
the property deeds. There is a need in the UK to regularise the currently
inappropriate differing standards and action levels. Until this is done,
individuals will be exposed to a higher risk than is necessary’.
Cavity Trays Ltd
advises liaison with your Local Authority to determine exact requirements to
satisfy the measures necessary when constructing on any form of contaminated
ground. The Company operates a scheduling service and will be pleased to
provide guidance including the provision of protective oversite membranes and
linked with combined cavity tray radon barriers in exterior walls to comply
with footprint protection requirements.
Issued by the
Technical Department (Radon) Cavity Trays Ltd.
July 2009.
