§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they have taken to encourage householders to reduce their exposure to radon; whether they are considering any further action; and how many households are thought to be at risk. [HL157]
§ The parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty)Successive governments have carried out campaigns since 1987 to encourage householders who may be at risk from radon to reduce their exposure. By 1998 every home in England with a greater than 5 per cent probability of being above the radon "Action Level" had been offered a government-funded radon test. Approximately 400,000 measurements have been carried out in total, and 40,000 homes found to be above the Action Level. In July 2000 my right honourable friend the Minister for Environment (Mr Michael Meacher) announced a new radon programme. The department is working in partnership with 31 local authorities over a two to three-year period to encourage householders to carry out remedial work to reduce radon concentrations where these are found to be above the Action Level. This follows successful pilot studies carried out in conjunction with three local authorities. The National Radiological Protection Board has calculated that around 100,000 homes will be above the Action Level throughout the UK.