Radon Survey of University Buildings
Recent HSE advice requires all employers with buildings having occupied basements to undertake radon gas assessment. Radon is a natural radioactive gas that comes from the minute amounts of uranium that occur naturally in all rocks and soils. It is present in all parts of the UK, but the greatest radon levels occur in the South West due primarily to their geology. None of the University’s premises are built in radon affected areas, but the University is nonetheless required to undertake these assessments. It is doing so to satisfy a legislative requirement rather than to address any real concerns over risks to health.
Over the coming winter months, the University Safety Office will select a representative sample of University buildings with below ground basements to undertake radon measurements. The main criterion for selecting premises to take part in the survey will be whether a basement is occupied for more than one hour every week. After that, premises will be selected to provide a good geographical spread across Oxford. Measurements will involve placement of small plastic detectors within basement rooms for a 3-month period. The detectors will be analysed by the Health Protection Agency and the results will be published on the Safety Office website early next year.
The University Safety Office does not expect any significant measurement results during this survey. Even in University premises where large quantities of geological specimens are held, previous measurements have been well below action levels. Indeed, the Health Protection Agency state that measurements made in the average UK home (a reasonable indicator for the levels expected during the forthcoming survey) are around ten times lower than the HSE’s recommended action level. In the unlikely event that higher levels are detected, the University will take all necessary actions to reduce those levels.
The Safety Office or Area Safety Officers will contact selected premises in the near future to make arrangements for dosemeter placement.
If you have any questions regarding the forthcoming survey, please contact the University Safety Office (01865 270811) or University Occupational Health Service (01865 282676).
Further authoritative advice and information on radon gas can be obtained from:
- The Health Protection Agency (http://www.hpa.org.uk/radon)
- The Health and Safety Executive (http://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/radon.htm)
- The Radon Council (http://www.radoncouncil.org/Guide.html)
- The Buildings Research Establishment (http://www.bre.co.uk/radon/)