§ Mr. RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many homes are affected by radioactive radon gas; and if he will list the 20 worst affected areas. [139606]
§ Mr. Mullin[holding answer 21 November 2000]: Following advice from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) in 1990, a level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre of air (Bq m—-3) in homes was adopted as an "Action Level". This is the radon concentration at which it is recommended that remedial action be taken to reduce levels in the home.
The number of homes found to be at or above the Action Level and the total number of homes estimated to be at or above the Action Level in the United Kingdom is set out in the table.
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Number of homes found to be at or above the Action Level Total number of homes estimated to be at or above the Action Level England 40,000 100,000 Wales 820 10,000 Scotland 280 2,000 Northern Ireland 970 4,000 Measurements of radon in homes have been undertaken by NRPB for several years throughout the United Kingdom. The information on areas affected by radon has been collated on the basis of 5 km and 10 km grid squares and not on the basis of administrative areas. However, measurement results and probability maps by grid square have been published in a series of NRPB reports providing information on the distribution of radon levels in homes in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The reports are listed, and I am arranging for them to be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Radon in Dwellings in Scotland: 1996 Review (NRPB-M569) and reprint of Document of the NRPB, Volume 4, No. 6 (1993).Radon Atlas of England (NRPB-R290).Radon in Dwellings in England: 1997 Review (NRPB-R293).Radon in Dwellings in Wales: Atlas and 1998 Review (NRPB-R303).Radon in Dwellings in Northern Ireland: Atlas and 1999 Review (NRPB-R308).