Residents unaware of radon risk in their home

Just one in five UK residents is aware of the potential health risks of radon gas, a leading cause of lung cancer, research from Go.Compare Home Insurance shows.

The gas comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock, and can appear in homes across the nation.

It can be detected with a test, though it’s invisible, odourless and tasteless.

Rebecca Coates, head of radon projects at PropertECO Ltd, said: “As the detrimental health effects of radon exposure are not seen for many years, it is a risk that gets very little attention in the media. Carbon monoxide poisoning, for example, is much more widely recognised as, unfortunately, the dangers are acute and often make headlines.

“The majority of homeowners I speak to only learn about radon when they are buying or selling a property, and many comment that they ‘wish someone had told them sooner’.

“Not everyone will be concerned enough to take any action, but that will then be their choice to do so, rather than the current situation where a large amount of the population is simply unaware of radon and the fact they may be being exposed to harmful levels.”

Only 6% of UK adults have ever checked the radon levels in their homes. Nine out of 10 (90%) residents say they haven’t ever checked, and 4% were unsure if they ever had.

Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “It’s unfortunately not all that surprising to find that two-thirds of UK adults have never heard of the risks of radon exposure. This shows why it’s important to discuss the issue, and we’re hopeful that in time there will be more awareness among residents.

“While it might not be a problem for many homeowners, more awareness of radon means that those in affected areas can take action if necessary. Currently, just one in 20 residents has checked for radon gas in their home, which we believe just isn’t good enough. Knowing what radon is and which areas are more prone to high levels of the gas means residents can be proactive in their approach to living in radon-affected regions.”