Radon gas: Risks, regulations and remediation

Abstract

Exposure to radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer worldwide. Radon can accumulate unnoticed within buildings, so it is vital that properties at risk are tested and action is taken to reduce high concentrations where present. Many people remain unaware of radon and only learn about it when purchasing a property, as it is covered in various conveyance documents. High radon levels in existing buildings can be mitigated and new properties can be protected from radon intrusion with careful design and workmanship. This paper discusses why it is important to protect people from radon exposure, the laws that exist to limit exposure in certain situations and the methods that can be employed in both existing and newbuilds to do so. The impact of modern energy-efficient building designs is also addressed.