Public Health England to scan thousands of houses in Gloucestershire for Radon, a radioactive gas.
18,000 homes to be scanned for deadly gas Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring gas to which people are exposed on a daily basis. It cannot be seen, heard, smelled or even tasted but every year it causes over 1,000 deaths by lung cancer.
Public Health England (PHE) has announced plans to scan 18,000 homes for the gas following estimates from scientists, suggesting the amount of Radon is higher in some areas than others.
Neil McColl, head of Dosimetry Services at the PHE’s Centre for Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards, explained: ‘It has long been known that the Cotswolds and parts of Gloucestershire are radon hotspots.
‘Parts of Cornwall, Aberdeenshire and West Oxfordshire also have high levels and over the years we have worked with people there to help them find out if their home is affected and if it is, to take action to reduce their radon levels. It’s important people do act because long term exposure to high levels of radon can lead to lung cancer.’