Radon - Myth vs. Truth

Myth:  Granite work tops emit harmful levels of radon
Fact:  Research in America has indicated that there is likely to be more radon in the building materials found in the average home than in a granite worktop. The New York Times has reported that spurious claims about radon levels in granite work tops have been made by companies selling competitive worktop materials

Myth:  Radon is only a problem in granite areas
Fact:  High radon levels are found on many different rock types around the country, including some limestones and sandstones

Myth:  Radon remedial measures cost tens of thousands of pounds
Fact: Effective remedial measures usually cost less than a thousand pounds, comparable with many other household expenditures  

Myth: Radon causes leukaemia or other cancers
Fact: There is clear evidence that radon causes lung cancer, but studies of the risks of other cancers have not demonstrated a risk from radon

Myth:  I don’t need to test my house, because the house next door was tested and had a low radon level 
Fact:  Radon levels vary greatly from house to house – the only way to find out if there is a problem is to measure the radon level 

Myth:  Radon levels are high in Devon and Cornwall, but the lung cancer rate is low, so radon cannot cause lung cancer
Fact: Most lung cancers are caused by smoking. Studies have shown smoking rates are low in Cornwall, giving a low rate of lung cancer. However, studies of people in Cornwall and Devon have shown that higher radon levels in houses are associated with a higher risk of lung cancer for people living in those houses.  

Myth:  High radon levels are only found in Affected Areas
Fact: Although the great majority of houses with radon problems are in radon Affected Areas, radon problems can occur almost anywhere

Myth:  Radon concentrations are higher downstairs because it is a heavy gas that sinks down
Fact:  Radon is always well-mixed with air and is carried along with air movements. Concentrations are higher downstairs because that is where the radon enters, mixed with soil air 

Myth:  Radon remedial measures require floors to be dug up 
Fact:  In most cases remedial measures can be installed under the building from outside 

Myth:  Houses with high radon levels are blighted 
Fact:  High radon level houses can be remedied and there is no evidence that radon has caused any housing blight   

Myth:  Radon is good for you – there are radon spas in other countries 
Fact:  The evidence from epidemiological studies shows that even radon exposures below the UK Action Level carry a risk of lung cancer

Myth:  Radon remedial measures are ugly or noisy 
Fact:  Properly installed remedial measures are quiet and unobtrusive