Update on Radon works to Council properties

2nd December 2014

The Highland Council has been taking action to reduce radon in nine properties which include five schools. Testing earlier in the year showed all properties had radon above the statutory Action Level of 400 Bq/m³. Remedial works were designed for the Council by a specialist radon consultant and specialist radon contractors were employed to carry out the installation and commissioning of the systems. Following the works the short term monitoring showed results below the Action Level at all sites, with the exception of one short-term result at Glen Urquhart High School.

The results of long term monitoring (3 month) have now been received for Helmsdale Primary, Helmsdale Library, Halkirk Primary and Glen Urquhart High School. Today (Tuesday 2 December), a letter has been sent to these schools for distribution to parents, staff and partner agencies to advise them of the results. Substantial radon reduction has been achieved in all four properties. Helmsdale Primary and Halkirk Primary results were all satisfactory. One result in Helmsdale Library is above the Council's target of 200 Bq/m³ but below the statutory Action Level, and measures to deal with this will be implemented with the buildings operators.

The long term results received for Glen Urquhart High School show that 29 out of the 30 results are below the Action Level. One result is still over the Action Level, although there has been a significant reduction (1,176Bq/m³ down to 481Bq/m³). Five further results were above the Council's target of 200 Bq/m3 but below the statutory Action Level.

There has been ongoing liaison with Public Health England (PHE) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) throughout this process. PHE has agreed that the results for Glen Urquhart High School indicate that the mitigation works have had a significant positive effect but that further work is required to resolve any remaining issues. PHE has also advised that further 3 month testing should be undertaken and it will be helpful if the premises continue in normal use for the confirmatory tests, and pending the 3 month monitoring results. PHE has reviewed the results and are satisfied that there is no significant increased risk to facility users during this further monitoring period

The Council’s Director of Care and Learning, Bill Alexander said: "The results at Glen Urquhart High School show a substantial overall reduction in radon levels at the school due to the specialist remedial works. The Council is now working with its specialist radon adviser to determine what further steps may be required, for example reviewing ventilation, installing additional extract sumps, etc, and we will be looking to implement these as soon as it is practical to do so."

Long term (3 month) monitoring results for Glenurquhart Primary, Kilchuimen Primary and Academy and the Telford Centre in Fort Augustus are expected in the next few weeks. The two month monitoring at Brora Heritage Centre shows results below Action Level, as does the results received from Fort Augustus Memorial Hall.

Bill Alexander added: "The Council will issue a further update to all schools once further monitoring results are received. If in the meantime anyone has any concerns, or questions then they should contact our Environmental Health team on 01349 886603 or email env.health[AT]highland.gov.uk

RADON - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It is produced by the decay of uranium that is present in all rocks and soils. In open air, it disperses very quickly, but can accumulate to high levels in buildings. The amount in the indoor air depends on the local geology and the building design, heating, ventilation and use. Radon is present in all buildings, including homes, so we all breathe it in throughout our lives. For most UK residents, radon accounts for about half of their total annual radiation dose. The average level in UK homes is 20 Becquerels per cubic metre of indoor air (Bq/m3).

2. What are the health effects of radon?
Radon is present in all air. Everyone breathes radon in every day, usually at very low levels. However, exposure to high levels of radon increases the risk of developing lung cancer. There is no evidence that exposure to radon increases the risk of other cancers and exposure to radon does not cause short term health effects such as shortness of breath, coughing, headaches or fever, or long term chest conditions such as asthma, emphysema or chronic obstructive lung disease.
Significant long term exposure to high levels of radon can increase the risk of lung cancer. Of the 33,000 deaths from lung cancer every year in the UK, between 1,000 and 2,000 deaths are related to radon; however the majority of these are in smokers and ex-smokers. The risk of lung cancer is highest for people who smoke tobacco and have high radon exposures. If you smoke tobacco, quitting is the most effective way of reducing the risk of lung cancer. The risk of lung cancer from exposure to radon in lifetime non-smokers is small and many times lower than the risk of lung cancer if you smoke tobacco.
3. What is the definition of ‘significant long-term exposure’ to radon?
Everyone is exposed to radon throughout their lifetime - it is unavoidable (exposure is the combination of the radon level and the duration). With radon we think of exposure duration in terms of many years, usually decades. Hence the action levels are set at radon concentrations where measures are justified to control radon exposure and reduce the risk of adverse health effects, assuming that people would be exposed to it over the long term.

4. What are radon ‘Action’ Levels’?
Radiation protection standards in workplaces are set by the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999, which apply if radon levels are above 400 Bq/m3. If levels exceed this concentration, action should be taken to reduce radiation exposure to staff and other occupants. Usually this is done by lowering the radon level. There is no way to eliminate all radon from the world. However, by putting in place some minor building work the levels can be reduced below the action level so that the risk becomes very small.

5. Are children more at risk from radon than adults?
There is no evidence that radon exposure during childhood causes a greater risk than that during adulthood. Action Levels for radon in homes, and also for workplaces (including schools), take into account that exposure could take place over many years. The action levels are set accordingly

6. How do you know where to test for radon?
The UK's primary experts on radiation protection, Public Health England (PHE) publish radon maps for the UK. These identify areas with a higher probability of radon concentration exceeding the radon action level. The maps for Scotland are available here http://www.ukradon.org/information/ukmaps/scotland
7. Why were schools monitored for radon?
As the Highlands were identified as having radon-affected areas the Council, like other employers, is required to monitor its premises for radon and act accordingly if levels are found to be above the action level. The Council has developed a monitoring programme. Radon tests were carried out at 13 schools over the required three month period in 2013. The results have been analysed and, in the case of five schools, have prompted the need for remedial measures to be put in place at the schools.

8. How was the radon level measured?
Radon levels can vary between adjacent buildings and even in a room, radon levels can vary from day to day and hour to hour. Because of these fluctuations, radon levels are normally measured over a three month period with the use of small plastic detectors.

9. My children have attended this school with high radon for many years - what are the risks?
The increased risk to pupils, caused by exposure to radon at school, is very low. It is especially important that older pupils do not smoke since this is harmful to health in itself and increases the risks from radon exposure.

10. I have worked in the school for many years, am I at risk of getting lung cancer?
The risk of staff members developing lung cancer from radon exposure during the time they have worked at school is very small. The risk is higher in those who also smoke, so for smokers the most effective way of reducing the risk further is by stopping smoking. The remedial work which will be carried out will limit exposure to radon in the future for staff members working in the school.

11. What about the rest of the community?
All employers and landlords are obliged to check if their properties are at risk. A first step is to check radon maps available at the website www.ukradon.org. They may also need to carry out testing which can be simply arranged through the same website at minimal cost (around £25 for a radon detector).
Householders are encouraged to check the maps available at the website www.ukradon.org. The www.ukradon.org website also offers a detailed map check on individual properties for around £4. If the house is in an area at risk from radon then monitoring should be carried out. This can be simply arranged through the same website at minimal cost (around £50 for a radon test pack).

12. When will the next update be issued?
An update will be issued to all schools once further monitoring results are received.

13. Who can I contact at the Council to discuss issues with schools?

Please contact Highland Council’s Environmental Health team on 01349 886603, or email env.health[AT]highland.gov.uk

14. Who can I contact if I want further information on radon or to discuss risks?

Public Health England can be contacted directly if you wish to discuss any of the items further. Public Health England can be contacted on 01235 822622, or email through the website http://www.ukradon.org/contactform

General information about radon and health risks can be found at www.UKradon.org