| 14th July 2006 |
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This is an age where
the controversy surrounding the building
of new nuclear power stations and the
dangers they represent has become headline
news again. Few have forgotten the danger
of radioactivity from Chernobyl when it
went badly wrong. The different factions
put forward their points of view to make
the earth and this country in particular
a cleaner and safer place to live in.
We forget that radioactivity occurs naturally
all around us to a greater or lesser extent
in the form of radon gas. |
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Radon is a natural
radioactive gas which enters houses from
the ground underneath. It is formed from
the uranium which is found in all rocks
and soils. The levels of radon gas indoors
depend on the concentration of radon in
the ground, how the house has been built
and the way in which it is heated and
ventilated. Levels vary widely between
houses that may seem to be identical and
between different parts of the country.
The only way to find out is to measure
it. Information is available on radon
levels for most of the country. |
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LandSearch, as an extension
to its land registry and other searches, can provide
a report on the radon levels in the approximate
area to where your house or future house is situated.
This requirement is increasingly asked for by
local authorities and mortgage lenders as well
as concerned householders. It is not possible
to provide a report on an individual house as
these reports are made to individual owners in
confidence. |
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Indoor radon has been found
to be the second most important cause of lung
cancer after smoking. Levels in most homes are
low, below the 200Bq per cubic metre at which
action should be taken. However, when this level
is reached remedial action should be taken to
reduce radon levels.
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Indoor radon levels can be reduced on a temporary
basis by increasing ventilation such as opening
ground floor windows. This however is not a
permanent solution. The highest levels are found
at night and in winter when few people are willing
to keep doors and windows open. Fortunately
there are proven radon reduction measures that
can be taken. Contacting the Environmental Health
Department of your local authority is a good
first step to take.
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LandSearch is the only independent
company to offer a complete Land Registry Service
for the whole of the UK and Ireland. In addition
it can supply arrange of local authority and environmental
searches such as radon searches. We also supply
boundary dispute searches, index maps, main title
deeds and plans, name of owner searches, history
and manorial searches, bankruptcy and company
searches, searches of properties with no postal
address and more. |
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