Each year we run a post in support of UK Radon Awareness Week, an annual campaign organised by the UK Radon Association aimed at increasing public awareness and understanding of radon gas which is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the UK.
The 2026 campaign is running this week (2nd-8th Nov) under the theme of Are You in a Radon Hotspot? We are tweaking that slightly to Are You Building on a Radon Hotspot? to remind landowners and developers about their responsibilities regarding radon testing and mitigation in new and existing buildings.
We first posted about the impact of radon back in February 2023, just after revised maps showing the extent and possible impact of the gas were published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and British Geological Survey (BGS). This article provides a more detailed overview of the new maps and their impact, and can be found here: New Radon Gas Data has Implications for Landowners, Developers & Homeowners
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium in the soil and rocks beneath us. It can migrate upwards through the ground and enter buildings through small cracks in the floor, walls and foundations. Radon is colourless, odourless and tasteless, so it can only be detected using specialised equipment.
Prolonged exposure to elevated radon levels increases the risk of developing lung cancer. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer worldwide, after smoking. In the UK an estimated 1,100 lung cancer deaths each year are attributed to exposure to this gas.
As well as new land development projects, there may also be sites still under development for which the radon assessment was undertaken prior to December 2022 (when the most recent updates to mapping occurred). As such, it is important that an updated risk assessment is undertaken to confirm the radon protective measures detailed are suitably protective.
GRM can help with the initial assessment and subsequent independent verification of radon protective measures including radon membranes (an example of which is shown in the image below).
Further information about radon awareness and this years campaign can be found on their website: UK Radon Awareness Week, including an interactive map to check the potential risk in your area (which is where the headline image used in this article came from).
If you have any development or construction projects that may be impacted by radon gas, or you require more information on testing and mitigation measures, then please get in touch to find out how our team of experts can help. Please use your main point of contact at GRM or for new enquiries email richard.upton@grm-uk.com or call 01283 551249.