Radon - Ministerial Response - 23 OCtober 2014

Findings

Comments

1

Responsibility for radon in Jersey is  shared  between  several departments, with none taking a lead  on  radon  matters.  Perhaps, partly as a result, very little effort has  been  put  into  investigating radon levels, following up survey findings  or  making  information on radon more widely available.

Much effort has been put into investigating radon in housing.

Comprehensive information is available both in written form and on the States' website.

All major landlords, letting agencies and the Constables  were  invited  to  a  seminar  on radon in Housing. Only States Housing (now Andium)  and  one   Connétable  accepted  the invitation.

2

Despite  consistent  results showing  that  many  homes  in Jersey  are  likely  to  exceed guideline  Target  and  Action levels for radon, this information has  not  been  fully  explained  to the general public.

There have been published reports on radon in Housing. Available details of the testing carried out is published on the website.

Information is available, both on the Sates' website and in written form.

3

There appears to be no consistent message  to  encourage  all householders  to  have  their properties  tested  for  radon, despite  this  being  amongst  the recommendations  of  the  2012 report.

The  States  of  Jersey  website  states  "we recommend that all buildings in Jersey are tested  for  radon  levels".  Environmental Health consistently gives this advice.

4

Surveys  carried  out  since  1987 have  been  limited  in scope  and number.  Too  few  homes  have been tested to enable conclusive results, and the types of property tested have been limited.

The surveys carried out to date have served to prove that all the Island of Jersey should be considered a radon affected area, and the diversity  of  properties  tested  demonstrates that  any  property  may  be  affected.  The results  lead  to  the  recommendation  that owners of any property with a basement or ground floor should be tested for radon.

5

Measures  for  protecting  new homes against radon since 1997 have not been followed up with testing  to  ensure  that  they  are effective.

This would require the co-operation of the occupiers. It is not an issue for the HSSD. The efficacy of the radon protection would be for Planning and Environment.

6

New workplaces are not required to  be  protected  against  radon, which  is  inconsistent  with  bye- laws  for  dwellings,  and  would appear  to  be  a  worthwhile precaution.

Workplaces  are  required  to  be  free  from harmful  levels  of  radon.  It  is  the responsibility of the employer. This would be an issue for Planning and Environment and for Social Security. HSSD are reviewing their own policy for their workplaces.

Findings

Comments

7

No action appears to have been taken  to  advise  homeowners about  the  possible  presence  of radon  in  private  water  supplies, or  to  carry  out  any  testing  to ascertain whether or not this may be a problem in specific areas.

Agreed.  This  will  be  addressed  through  a revision of the website and available written advice. Advice will be sent to all properties with a registered borehole.

As  with  other  aspects  of  potentially contaminated  private  water,  this  is  the responsibility of the supply user and his or her maintenance contractor. Aeration of the supply removes radon.

8

Potentially  increased  risks  of developing  lung  cancer associated  with  prolonged exposure to high levels of radon have  not  been  communicated adequately  to  homeowners, particularly  those  who  smoke, and ex-smokers.

"We would estimate that there is likely to be one case of lung cancer every three to four years  caused  solely  by  radon  in  Jersey's population and around two deaths per year due  to  the  combination  of  smoking  and exposure to radon gas. The greatest risk from radon gas is to those who are also smokers, who  by  virtue  of  smoking  already  have  a high  risk  of  lung  cancer.  In  this  situation radon can exert a small incremental effect. The lifetime risk of lung cancer of those who smoke  and  are  exposed  to  radon  is  over 30 times higher than for a non-smoker with the same exposure. Thus smoking poses a far higher  risk  than  exposure  to  radon  gas." From "Cancer in Jersey 2013". The website will be updated to include ex-smokers.

Recommendations

To

Accept/ Reject

Comments

Target date of action/ completion

1

Information  about  radon measurements in Jersey should be  brought  together  in  a consistent  format  (ideally representing  the  annual average  radon  concentration) to  enable  analyses  and comparisons to be made.

P&E H&SS SocSec

Reject

The results of tests belong to the property owners and are not shared with HSSD. The concept of an annual average radon  concentration  is  not helpful,  as  has  been demonstrated  by  previous surveys.  Comparison between  properties  is meaningless as neighbouring, seemingly  identical properties may be differently affected.  Available  results are published on the website.

Recommendations

To

Accept/ Reject

Comments

Target date of action/ completion

2

Formal  advice  should  be published  recommending  that all  ground  floor  (or  lower) dwellings on Jersey should be tested  for  radon,  and  that premises with annual average indoor  radon  concentrations above  the  appropriate  action level should be remediated.

P&E H&SS

Accept

This advice is already given both  on  the  website  and  in written material.

The  website  and  written information will be updated.

31/10/2014

3

Discussions  should  be  held with  the  Jersey  Law  Society regarding  the  possibility  of including  questions  about radon  in  the  conveyancing process  associated  with  the sale  and  purchase  of  all buildings in Jersey.

P&E H&SS SocSec

Accept

This  is  a  good  idea  but  it would  be  for  the  purchaser (or  their  representative)  to ask  the  question  of  the vendor.  It  is  for  the  legal profession  to  determine  its own  search  questions.  We would,  however,  be  pleased to  discuss  radon  with  the Jersey Law Society.

4

Consideration should be given to the benefits of applying, in Jersey, relevant aspects of the radon-related  requirements contained  in  the  2014  EU Basic Safety Standards.

P&E H&SS SocSec

Accept

These aspects are all covered by  other  recommendations within  the  report.  They  are largely  concerned  with  the workplace  and  publicising the  potential  risk  associated with radon.

31/12/2014

5

The States should consider if workplaces  with  high  public occupancy  (2,000  or  more hours  per  year)  and  schools should  use  the  protection standards  developed  for homes.

P&E H&SS SocSec

Accept

This is for consideration by the  Health  and  Safety Inspectorate.

HSSD will review its policy for its own estate.

31/12/2014

6

Consideration should be given to  including  radon  protection to  all  new  buildings  and extensions, refurbishments and conversions.

P&E

This is a logical step, but a matter  for  Planning  and Environment.

7

Consideration should be given to amending the Building Bye- Laws  (Technical  Document Part 4) to clarify the level of protection required.

P&E

This is a logical step, but a matter  for  Planning  and Environment.

Recommendations

To

Accept/ Reject

Comments

Target date of action/ completion

8

Consideration should be given (depending on the outcome of Recommendation 6)  to updating  the  reference  in Technical Document Part 4 to the  latest  version  of  the Building  Research Establishment's  Report BR211 2007 Edition.

P&E

This is a logical step, but a matter  for  Planning  and Environment.

9

The  States  should  consider  a pilot programme to determine if  radon  in  water  is  a significant source of exposure in homes and workplaces.

P&E H&SS SocSec

Reject

Such a programme would be expensive  and  difficult  to carry out. No powers exist to ensure  co-operation  with Planning  and  Environment licence  abstraction.  It  is  a matter  for  supply  user  and his/her  maintenance contractor.  Private  water supplies  are  not  routinely sampled by the States for any contaminants.

10

The  States  should  publish  a summary policy document on radon  that  would  bring together  all  aspects  of  radon and the control of exposures to the population of Jersey in one document.  The  document should  be  made  easily available for distribution to all stakeholders.

P&E H&SS SocSec

Accept

A revised webpage is being prepared to bring together the different aspects of radon.

Written  material  is  being revised.

31/12/2014

11

Detailed  radon  remedy information  should  be  made available  to  all  households with test results above  target levels, or on request. A list of qualified builders and/or some form  of  accreditation  scheme may also be advisable to guide those needing remedial work.

P&E H&SS

Reject.

Detailed advice  is  given  by reference  to  Health Protection  England. Environmental  Health personnel  also  assist  with advice  and  in  interpreting results. It is not for HSSD to run an accreditation scheme for builders.

12

The  Minister  for  Health  and Social Services should assume overall responsibility for radon protection  measures  in  the Island,  assisting  householders

P&E H&SS SocSec

Reject

HSSD  and  Social  Security will continue to take the lead on  health  advice,  and  will continue  to  give  advice  on testing  for  radon.  The

Recommendations

To

Accept/ Reject

Comments

Target date of action/ completion

with  advice  and  support through  the  Environmental Health  Department,  and  co- ordinating  any  requirements for new or amended building bye-laws with the Department of the Environment.

majority  of  these recommendations,  however, fall  within  the  remit  of Planning and Environment or Social Security. It is illogical to  suggest  that  the  Minister for  Health  and  Social Services  should  assume overall  responsibility.  The Air  Quality  Strategy  would seem  a  better  place  for  the indoor  air  quality  aspects. This  is  a  joint  Strategy between  the  Health  and Environment Departments.  I have  asked  that  the  radon aspects of indoor air quality be re-examined in light of the Scrutiny Report.

13

The  Minister  for  Health  and Social  Services  should produce a plan to carry out a major new programme for the detection  and  remediation  of radon in homes. Such plan to produce a significant increase in the number of homes tested, particularly  dwellings  which may  be  likely  to  have increased radon levels, support for householders where radon action  or  target  levels  are exceeded,  and  assistance  to householders  to  undertake remediation  measures.  The plan to include an appropriate level of public funding to be determined  in  consultation with the Minister for Treasury and Resources, and a scheme of financial support for grants and  loans  to  householders  in appropriate circumstances.

H&SS

Reject.

There are no powers to carry out  such  tests.  Previous surveys  demonstrated  how difficult it is to find people willing to co-operate. Those surveys  demonstrated  the whole  Island  is  a  Radon Affected  Area'  and  also tested  different  types  of housing,  showing  it  is  not possible to identify "dwelling which may be likely to have increased radon levels".

As with other defects within housing, it is for the property owner to carry out and pay for  remedial  works.  UK guidelines  issued  by  HPE suggest  remediation  works are inexpensive in relation to property  values.  Typical costs quoted are £500 – £800 depending  on  the  type  of property.

HSSD will continue to raise awareness  of  radon  and  its potential for harm.