To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, following the Government's announcement of 19 January that the recommended action level for radon in houses was to be halved, he plans to issue any advice to householders.
A second edition of the Department's publication, "The Householders' Guide to Radon", was published today, and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.The guide comprises a general first section describing what radon is and where it comes from, how it can affect
| £ | ||
| Rendel Palmer and Tritton | 1 April 1987 to 30 September 1989 | 60,666 |
| Cipfa Services (latterly CSL) | 1 August 1987 to 30 September 1989 | 1,050 |
| Meredith Hewson | 1 October 1987 to 30 September 1989 | 200 |
| Kingham Knight Architects | 1 October 1987 to 30 September 1989 | 6,479 |
| E. C. Harris and Partners | 1 October 1987 to 30 September 1989 | 5,200 |
| Gillespies | 1 October 1987 to 30 September 1989 | 1,908 |
| Dove and Hodd | 1 November 1987 to 30 September 1989 | 1,540 |
| Povall Worthington | 1 February 1988 to 30 September 1989 | Nil |
| Warrington-Runcorn Property Services (latterly Eileen Bilton Partnership) | 1 March 1988 to 30 September 1989 | 917 |
| Business Environment Planning | 1 April 1988 to 30 September 1989 | 1,326 |
people, how it gets into homes, the ways of finding out if a house has a high level of radon, and what to do if measurements show radon concentrations above the action level. The second section gives practical advice on ways of reducing the level of radon indoors in various types of houses, and on how to get the work done and paid for. The third section answers some more questions which are commonly asked about radon. Sources for further information and advice are also given.
The new edition takes account of the reduction of the action level from 400 to 200 becquerels per cubic metre announced by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside on 19 January this year. The section on reducing the level of radon in houses has been extended, and incorporates the latest findings of the Government-funded research programme currently being carried out by the Building Research Establishment.
The second edition of "The Householders' Guide to Radon" will be widely distributed, especially in those areas of the country where high levels of indoor radon are most prevalent. The document is available free of charge from the Department by writing to:
"Householders' Guide to Radon"
- Room A518
- Romney House
- 43 Marsham Street
- London
- SWIP 3PY.