TY  - JOUR
AB  - Northamptonshire is classified as a radon affected area, with greater than 1 per cent of houses being above the UK action level of 200Bq/m–3. New houses, in areas where >10 per cent are above the action level, have to have primary protection of a radon‐proof membrane and secondary measures such as a non‐activated radon sump. New houses, in areas where 3‐10 per cent are above the action level only need the secondary measures. This research calls into question the effectiveness of this strategy. The use of radon potential maps, rather than radon in building maps, would have demonstrated that radon “hot spots”, where a very high percentage of houses are over the action level, can occur on a range of geology. One estate, at Higham Ferrers, had 35 per cent over the action level, even though it had been classified as only requiring secondary measures. The reluctance of occupiers in the UK to instigate monitoring and remediation means that very few will have their house tested for radon and activate the sump, by fitting a fan, if that is required. This paper provides arguments that support the view that it would be more effective to have primary and secondary measures introduced in all new houses in radon affected areas.
VL  - 11
IS  - 4
SN  - 0956-6163
DO  - 10.1108/09566160010372752
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/09566160010372752
AU  - Phillips Paul S.
AU  - Fraser Julia D.
AU  - Denman Antony R.
PY  - 2000
Y1  - 2000/01/01
TI  - Effectiveness of secondary radon protection in Northamptonshire houses
T2  - Environmental Management and Health
PB  - MCB UP Ltd
SP  - 337
EP  - 351
Y2  - 2024/04/25
ER  -