Radon Gas in Cornwall – Buying a Property in Cornwall

Helpful info written by your local, independent estate agent

Much like many other areas in the UK, and the World, Cornwall does score quite highly for chances of radon gas. As with everything, there are steps you can take and preventative measures to minimise the risks of radon exposure, but it is important you hear about radon now before it comes up in the conveyancing process or raised by your mortgage lender!

Radon gas is a colourless and odourless gas emitted from the breakdown of certain elements (uranium) in soil and rocks – for this reason, it is not specific to Cornwall and can be found at high levels across the United Kingdom. We do have uranium rich rocks and soil in the South West, which increases the likelihood of radon being present in the atmosphere.

It sounds quite terrifying, and almost a little unbelievable, but there is scientific evidence to suggest that radon is the second biggest cause of lung cancer in the UK. It is important that the presence of this gas in the South West (as well as other parts of the World) does not come as a massive shock to you part way through buying a house in Cornwall!

Outdoors, radon gas is less of an issue as it is dispersed so levels of radon in the air we breathe outdoors is very low. Indoors, if not ventilated, levels of radon can build up, so the key to reducing the risk or impact of radon is all around positive ventilation or the installation of a membrane known as a radon barrier.

Some properties in Cornwall have equipment fitted to reduce levels of radon in the air indoors. This can be a sump or a positive ventilation unit. Sumps are usually designed to draw radon out from below suspended floors or beneath a concrete floor in some cases – sometimes assisted by fans to dissipate the gas out of the building.

A positive ventilation unit is normally installed in roof space in a house, with a small vent in the ceiling upstairs – the principle is to distribute fresh air from outside in to the home which will dilute the radon and in some cases decrease the flow of radon from the ground. It is roughly the same as having a window open and increasing the ventilation in your home in Cornwall.

Radon testing kits can be bought online to ascertain radon levels and for anyone renovating an older property in Cornwall that requires floors to be replaced, it is worth knowing that radon membranes are widely used in Cornwall beneath flooring.

To read more about radon gas and ways to live in areas with higher radon, go to UK Radon