HHSRS Hazard 8 - Radiation

Hazard 8 - Radiation

This hazard covers the threats to health from radon gas and its daughters, primarily airborne, but also radon dissolved in water.

Natural sources account for 85% of the total exposure to ionising radiation of the UK population, the majority of which is from radon gas in buildings. Radon dissolved in water supplies is only found in significant quantities in private water supplies in areas where there are high levels of radon gas.

Vulnerable Group: All ages

Defects & Justifications

• Timber ground floor - ground floor of suspended timber construction particularly if without adequate sub-floor ventilation.
• Disrepair to solid floor - holed, cracked or other disrepair to a solid ground floor.
• Lack of DPM - lack of or defective damp proof membrane to solid floor.
• Sealing around services - inadequate sealing around service entry points, and similar disrepair.
• Ventilation rates - high upper-level ventilation rates.
• Open fires - use of open fires and solid-fuel-effect open fires, without additional through the wall ventilation.
• Remedial measures - disrepair to any remedial measures, such as a radon sump or associated fan.
• Extractor fans - continuous use of extractor fans in kitchens, bathrooms or wcs.
• Private water supply - particularly if from a borehole or well.

Index of HHSRS Hazards