Alert to radioactive gas dangers

Radon is a colourless and odourless gas that builds up in premises

A health watchdog is to target firms to raise awareness about the dangers of high levels of radon gas in premises.

The naturally-occurring radioactive gas seeps out of the ground and can cause lung cancer, especially among smokers.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is targeting employers in parts of Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and the West Midlands.

The blitz aims to raise awareness of laws on radon gas and to tell employers how to comply with legislation.

An HSE spokesman said: "Radon gas is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep out of the ground and enter buildings.

"It can then build up to levels where it causes a significant radiation risk to those inside."

Risk assessment

The Health Protection Agency estimated that radon exposure to individuals at work caused between 90 and 280 fatal lung cancer cases every year, with those who smoke tobacco particularly at risk.

It estimated that over 16,000 workplaces had radon levels in excess of the maximum levels legally allowed.

They tended to be located in particular areas of the country identified by the government as being "radon affected areas".

HSE and local authority inspectors will be visiting businesses and organisations in Corby, east Northamptonshire, Kettering, Wellingborough, Daventry and south Northamptonshire from Monday 13 November until Friday 17 November.

Other visits will target areas around Stratford-on-Avon in Warwickshire, Cherwell in Oxfordshire, west Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire.

Inspectors will make employers aware of the potential risks and advise on risk assessments.

HSE principal inspector Gareth Thomas said: "Most workplaces that have carried out a suitable risk assessment have found they don't have a radon problem but employers who do have high levels find that effective solutions can usually be found without excessive cost."