Local homes to be monitored for Radon gas

Thousands of homes in Montgomeryshire have a level of the radioactive Radon gas which is to be monitored as part of a programme led by Powys County Council.

Radon gas has been known to leak into the local environment for decades. It is an onerous and colourless gas which is believed to be the second largest cause of lung cancer in the UK.

The county council is to begin a monitoring and remediation programme after Public Health England said more than 5,000 properties in Powys could be affected.

Many of these properties are in the Newtown area, according to an interactive map (pictured) produced by Public Health England which shows the town and surrounding area having a more than 30 per cent probability of properties having the radioactive gas.

Tests have already revealed that 200 homes in Montgomeryshire have a 10 to 20 per cent probability of having the gas, with 5,374 home in the region with between a less than one per cent and 30 per cent probability of having it, according to a council report.

The council is to undertake monitoring of around 50 to 70 properties on two as yet unidentified council estates in the area over a nine month period where the risk of Radon is higher, with a two year programme looking at other properties in the 10 per cent to 30 per cent category.

A five year programme will also monitor those in the five to 10 per ent category.

The report says measures will include fans and Radon sumps where high levels are identified.

Funding has been agreed in the council's housing revenue budget.

The report author, Cllr James Evans, said the programme could be extended.