Jersey is one of several different areas – another being south-west of England – where higher levels of radon gas have been reported. Due to an abundance of granite, the presence of radon gas in the area is much higher than normal so the probability of homes with higher-than average radon levels is high. Despite that, state and local departments have failed to raise radon awareness, and there seems to be a serious lack of information about radon gas at least as far as Jersey residents are concerned.
Jersey States Departments Not Doing Enough to Raise Radon Awareness
Deputy John Young, chairman of the environment scrutiny panel, says that there’s a lack of communication and “joined-up thinking” between health and environment departments which has rendered them unable to raise radon awareness. Many Jersey residents have no idea what radon gas is, let alone that it may be affecting their health and the future of their family.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, right behind tobacco smoke. For those who have also been exposed to tobacco smoke – such as those who smoke on a regular basis – the risk of contracting lung cancer is much higher. It doesn’t help that neither radon nor lung cancer exhibit short term symptoms. Often, by the time patients with lung cancer are diagnosed, the disease has progressed beyond a curable stage.
Environment minister Deputy Rob Duhammel has said in the past that studies are being conducted in Jersey to better understand radon and its associated problems.
“There is work being undertaken to assess the quality of indoor air but work on that will take a number of years to work out. Over and above that there is legislation being looked at to determine whether radon is as big of a problem as people think it might be.”
While it may take state and local organizations a lot longer to realize there is an issue, everyone else can look at the facts. More than 1,100 UK residents die every year from lung cancer after being exposed to elevated levels of radon gas. If that statistic alone doesn’t encourage you to help raise radon awareness, perhaps more information will.
If We Raise Radon Awareness Lives Can Be Saved
The ridiculous part about so many people being harmed by radon gas is that it can be prevented easily by testing homes. You can either hire an experienced professional or visit any home department or improvement store to purchase a DIY kit. If elevated levels are discovered in a home, a mitigation system is about €1,200 to install. When you look at the costs associated with lung cancer, as well as the living conditions of such a disease – that’s a very small price to pay.
So you see, it doesn’t matter how long it takes health and environment departments to get their act together – radon gas is an issue now. Take some time to understand the problem, and how you can prevent it. Before you know it, you and your family could be living in cleaner air and a healthier environment.
Via: BBC News
