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Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced in certain areas of the County including the borough of Oswestry. Long-term exposure is associated with the incidence of lung cancers in affected households. Working jointly with South Shropshire District Council and Central Government we have during 2002 taken steps to raise the publics awareness of this easily solved potential risk by encouraging households to take appropriate remedial action. This work will continue for the foreseeable future.

Radon Rollout Programme

Over the last year, this department has been concentrating on the Radon Rollout programme, an exercise aimed at targeting high risk areas to encourage occupants to carry out household tests. The tests are free, although it is the responsibility of the homeowner to carry out any remediation that may be necessary. Remediation of properties can vary in scope and cost depending on the severity of the problem. The rollout programme has been a success, with over 40% of the targeted properties responding to our letters. We have arranged for 49 Radon tests to be installed, and have been consulted on several remediation schemes.

Radon and Moving House

If you live within a Radon affected area and are selling your property, it may be necessary, for the sake of conveyance, to prove that your property is not affected. There are several ways that this can be done. Normally, a test from the NRPB will take up to three months, to reflect the seasonal variations that Radon is affected by. Alternatively, the Radon Council can alternatively provide a 7-day test. This test does not take seasonal variations into account, but may be useful in the context of house buying / selling. In this case we recommend that a full 3-month test be carried out in addition if it is found that Radon levels exceed 75 BqM3.

Another option is to arrange a Radon bond. This is essentially the retention of funds until a satisfactory Radon test has been carried out. Your solicitor will be able to explain this in greater detail.

Contact Details

Oswestry Borough Council
Planning and Environmental Services
Castle View
Oswestry
Shropshire
SY11 1JR

Tel: 01691 677227 / 01691 677356
Email: environmentalhealth@oswestry-bc.gov.uk

Radon Contact Details

National Radiological Protection Board
Chilton
Didcot
Oxon
OX11 0RQ

Telephone: 01235 831600
Fax: 01235 833891
Email: nrpb@nrpb.org
Website: www.hpa.org.uk/radiation

The Radon Council
PO Box 39
Shepperton
Middlesex
TW17 8AD

Tel: 01932 221212
Fax: 01932 229779
Email: radoncouncil@radon-uk.demon.co.uk
Website: www.radoncouncil.org