Radon Survey

Earth Environmental & Geotechnical provide a Comprehensive range of Radon Survey, Detection and Monitoring Services.

Radon exposure is a serious risk to health. Residential, commercial and future developments need to know if there is a risk of radon exposure, or if radon exposure is occurring.

Radon Survey, Monitoring and Detection

Earth Environmental offer a Comprehensive range of Radon Detection and Monitoring

At Earth Environmental & Geotechnical we have an extensive range of Radon Survey services for radon Monitoring and Radon Detection including: in-situ measurement of radon gas activity using MARKUS 10 instruments, Radon monitoring in existing commercial and residential properties, plus we also provide Ecotrak® Radon monitoring radon soil gas

Radon Risk Assessment

The current radon risk assessments are based on 1km square grids on a UK wide atlas. But 1km square is a very coarse grid and research has shown that pockets of elevated radon potential can be found. This risk assessment is indicative, rather than definitive, highlighting the highest radon potential found within the 1km square. That means the radon levels is not actually known, but the potential chance of high radon levels is identified.

Radon Survey : Monitoring and Detecting Radon Gas in situ using MARKUS 10

Earth Environmental & Geotechnical recently acquired a MARKUS 10 instrument to allow in-situ measurement of radon gas activity(kBq/m3) in soils.

The instrument is used for developments in areas where the UK Radon Atlas indicates that between one and ten percent of homes are reported to have radon concentrations above action levels, as a screen to determine whether further assessment is required.

The in-situ radon surveys are used to support Town Planning applications that include an assessment of whether a site is likely to be ‘Suitable for Use’ with respect to risks to future users from radon ingress if no radon mitigation measures are installed or further assessment undertaken.
Human health risk based criteria has also been developed for radon using CLEA and the RCLEA model.

The use of the CLEA equations assumes that radon is present as a trace component in the soil gas and therefore will have equivalent transport properties to air.

Radon monitoring in Existing Commercial and Residential Properties.

In partnership with Radonova we provide Radon monitoring in existing commercial and residential properties. We are also launching our new service – Ecotrak®. This allows for assessment of radon soil gas. Ecotrak® monitoring allows developers make an informed decision whether a NEW residential or commercial property requires radon mitigation measures.

Earth Environmental & Geotechnical are the only company offering Ecotrak® radon monitoring. Contact us now for further information.

What is Ecotrak® ?

The new Ecotrak® detector can be used ahead of new builds and property modernisations and provides quick, reliable information on the amount of radon in the soil being tested.

Unlike other commonly used soil detectors, Ecotrak® is covered by international comparative tests. The detector is supplied in a Tyvek bag, which protects against moisture, dirt and other factors that could affect the result.

Ecotrak® does not have to be returned for immediate analysis, rather it can be collected and stored at stockists for a short period. This enables more streamlined handling and means that detectors from several different monitoring periods can be sent for analysis at the same time.

“Monitoring radon in soil is relatively simple. The challenge is to monitor it in such a way as to provide a reliable result. In part, this means that the product itself has to be high quality. Also able to withstand the stresses that are part and parcel of monitoring in soil. However, it also means using an accredited laboratory that takes part in international tests. This enables us to carry out fact-based comparisons with large amounts of reference data,” says Karl Nilsson, CEO of Radonova Laboratories.

“By launching the new detector, we’re making it simpler and safer than ever to monitor radon in soil. No matter what type of construction is involved, there’s great value in understanding the radon situation. What’s more, in some cases the local building committee requires a study into radon levels before granting building permits. Should monitoring show that the site is what’s termed ‘high risk’, the construction can be made radon-proof from the beginning,” says Oskar Boström, product manager at Radonova Laboratories.

Earth Environmental & Geotechnical provide a wide range of Radon Monitoring and Detection services click here to contact us for further information.

What is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring gas, it is colourless and odourless, but can have serious health implications. Radon is produced from the natural breakdown of the uranium and radium found in most rocks and soils. As it further breaks down, radon emits atomic particles. These particles are in the air we breathe. Once inhaled, they can be deposited in our lungs. Radon is linked with approximately 1,100 lung cancer deaths each year in the UK. Radon is estimated to be responsible for 10% of lung cancer deaths in the UK. It is the second cause of lung cancer next to smoking. According to the Swedish radiation Protection Institute the risk of Radon gas radiation far outweighs the effect of the Chenobyl incident. So Radon Detection and Radon Monitoring are of the utmost importance to developers. Earth Environmental offer a comprehensive service.

Usually radon does not present a health risk outdoors, because it is diluted in the open air. Radon can, however, build up to dangerous levels inside a building. When it builds up indoors, the energy associated with these particles can alter cell DNA, thus increasing the risk of lung cancer.

All soil and rocks contain uranium, but some rocks like granite, shale, sandstone and limestone have a higher concentration. Radon travels through gaps and cracks in the rock to the surface. Areas where the rock is very solid, like Aberdeen tends to have lower radon levels as the radon cannot escape. But areas where the rock is very fissured have higher risk levels, as the cracks allow the radon to escape freely. For instance, levels may be higher in parts of the country rich in granite, such as Dartmoor in Devon and Cornwall.

Radon can be drawn into a building through these cracks and fissures. Where the radon gets trapped, it can build up to high levels, prolonged exposure to high levels is a risk to health. The UK radon action level of 200 Becquerel per cubic metre is advised by Public Health England to the government. Any level higher than 200 needs to be lowered as a matter of priority.  So  it is important to understand the radon risk for any future developments and if Radon mitigation system will be required . It is also essential to establish current residential and commercial properties radon levels and if required have a remedial work strategy in place.

Radon Monitoring of School Grounds
Radon Monitoring and Detection
Radon survey

Ecotrak® in brief

  • Covered by stringent international comparative studies
  • Not sensitive to moisture (large amounts of water do, however, affect the results)
  • Supplied in a protective Tyvek bag
  • Can be collected and stored for a short period (for efficient handling of multiple measurements)
  • Monitoring usually takes place over one to seven days
  • Can be used all year round (provided the soil is free of frost)

Further reading — Radon Surveys

radon risk assessments and surveys for schools, academy trusts, and universities

Radon in Schools

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All schools, academy trusts, and local Authorities should demonstrate that they have considered radon in their risk assessments. If your school is in a Radon Risk area, a radon risk assessments should be considered. If the risk of radon is high testing should be completed and remediation steps taken if Radon is detected.
Radon Surveys for Landlords for Housing Act 2004 compliance

Managing Radon in Social Housing

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Radon in Social Housing: Landlords Responsibility, Housing Associations & Social Housing providers should know their properties' Radon risk. All Landlords have a responsibility to their tenants under the Duty of Care and the Housing Act to provide a safe home. Radon is identified as a potential hazard in dwellings in the Housing Act 2004. Housing associations and Social Home providers, and/or property management company must therefore demonstrate that they have considered radon in their risk assessments and taken appropriate action if required.
radon risk assessments and surveys for schools, academy trusts, and universities

School Fined for Radon Overexposure

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The Health & Safety Executive published a press release yesterday detailing that a school had been fined for radon gas overexposure. A private boarding school has been fined £50,000 after exposing two employees, five pupils, and two other children to high levels of radioactive radon gas.All schools and Universities fall under workplace legislation regarding radon. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must assess all hazards. Every school must therefore demonstrate that they have considered radon in their risk assessments and taken appropriate action
radon mitigation

Is Radon Testing a Legal Requirement?

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Is Radon Testing a Legal Requirement? In this article we look at the responsibilities in different sectors for radon surveys, monitoring and if required remediation. All employers, landlords, public sector buildings, commercial property owners have a legal requirement to ensure that their buildings are safe. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require the assessment of health and safety risks, this should include radon in specific circumstances...
radon in the workplace employers responsibility

Radon in the Workplace

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The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require the assessment of health and safety risks, this should include radon in specific circumstances including: it is a building in a radon Affected Area, it has a basement area that is occupied for more than about 50 hours each year,it is a mine, cave, or other underground environment, it has a suspected radon source such as ground water (e.g. treatment works) or geological samples.
radon surveys for landlords

Landlords Responsibility for Radon

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Landlords have a responsibility to their tenants under the Duty of Care and the Housing Act to provide a safe home. Radon is identified as a potential hazard in dwellings in the Housing Act 2004. Every landlord, housing association, and/or property management company must therefore demonstrate that they have considered radon in their risk assessments and taken appropriate action if required.
Radon Survey

Radon Risk: NHBC Update

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NHBC updated property developers, builders, and construction companies that radon risk areas have changed and to check if the development is now in a radon risk area. In December 2022 for the first time in 10 years, the radon potential maps were updated. Some areas that were previously in low and medium risk areas have moved to higher risk,
Radon Monitoring of School Grounds

Radon Monitoring in Bristol

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Large parts of Bristol and the surrounding area are in High Risk zones for radon levels. Radon Monitoring and detection is an essential assessment required in risk areas throughout the UK. Earth Environmental & Geotechnical recently worked with a School in Bristol using MARKUS 10 instruments that allows for in-situ measurement of radon gas in soils. The Markus 10 can provide a clear understanding of the radon levels in the soil of your School site and can quickly allow for an informed decision whether the site requires radon mitigation measures.
Radon Monitoring and Detection

New Builds in Radon Risk Area

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New Builds in Radon Risk Area, Radon Monitoring and Detection for New Building Developments is an essential risk assessment in radon risk areas throughout the UK. But how do you know if the land that you intend to develop is at risk from radon? Earth Environmental & Geotechnical can help with radon monitoring and detection. Residential, commercial and future developments need to know if there is a risk of radon exposure, or if radon exposure is occurring.
Radon survey

Radon and New Building Developments

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Radon Monitoring and Detection for New Building Developments | Radon Monitoring and detection is an essential assessment required in risk areas throughout the UK. But how do you know if the land that you intend to develop is at risk from radon? Earth Environmental & Geotechnical can help with radon monitoring and detection. Residential, commercial and future developments need to know if there is a risk of radon exposure, or if radon exposure is occurring.