Radioactive Radon, Buildings and Health
Most areas of the UK are affected!

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Radon is an odourless, invisible radioactive gas that is naturally emitted from soil and rock.  It poses a very significant health risk in homes and buildings - particularly in areas with high geological emissions. As awareness of the dangers grows, so too does the need for the construction industry to assess and control radon’s ingress. Versaperm, a leading specialist in vapour permeability, is at the forefront of helping the building sector understand, measure and manage the permeability of radon through construction materials and barriers.

Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the UK after smoking, with Public Health England estimating that thousands of homes exceed recommended safe levels. The construction industry has a legal and ethical responsibility to mitigate this risk, particularly in new builds and renovation projects. However, ensuring radon protection is not simply a matter of installing a barrier; it is about knowing how effective that barrier truly is. This is where vapour permeability measurement becomes crucial.

Many commonly used construction materials - membranes, concretes, insulations and sealants - vary widely in their permeability to radon vapour. Without accurate data, there is a real risk that a material or structure that is assumed to be protective could allow radon to enter and accumulate in a building over time. Versaperm’s testing technologies provide precise, reproducible measurements of how radon permeates through building materials, giving designers, architects and contractors the information they need to select appropriate materials and comply with building regulations.

The Building Regulations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all require that all new buildings or extensions in “Radon Affected Areas” have protective measures installed during construction. According to government and BRE maps, few areas across the UK are unaffected.

Versaperm also offers a comprehensive permeability and diffusive flow lab testing service for companies who don’t wish to purchase their own equipment.

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

Please send any sales enquiries to Christopher Roberts, Versaperm Limited,,
10 Rawcliffe House, Howarth Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1AP, UK, Tel: +44 (0) 1628 777668,
e.mail info@versaperm.co.uk Web http://www.versaperm.co.uk

For further Press Information please contact Gerry Palmer @
T the Palmer & Rose Partnership.
Tel +44 (0) 1494 637499, e.mail gerry@palmer-rose.co.uk.