Airtech, the condensation, mould and radon specialists, is once again supporting UK Radon Awareness Week (2-8^th November 2026) by helping raise awareness of the radioactive gas.

Run by the UK Radon Association (UKRA), this year’s campaign focuses on ‘Know Your Risk, Protect Your Health’, as four years after government mapping was updated to identify radon risks more accurately, many residents and employers remain unaware of the risk in their area. The campaign follows the publication of new scientific research highlighting the improved methodology behind the updated radon mapping, alongside recent changes to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), which continues to recognise radon as a housing hazard.

Radon is an invisible, odourless radioactive gas associated with an estimated 1,100 lung cancer deaths in the UK each year. While traditionally associated with regions such as the South West of England, updated mapping published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKSA) and British Geological Survey (BGS) in 2022 refined estimates of radon potential across Great Britain, highlighting areas where the risk may previously have been underestimated.

‘We are proud to once again support UK Radon Awareness Week and help raise awareness of the health risks associated with radon gas,’ says Ashley Smith, Product Manager at Airtech.

‘Many people still associate radon with certain parts of the country and may not realise that their own property could be at risk. The updated mapping provides a much clearer picture, but it is important that homeowners, landlords and employers understand what this means for their properties. By encouraging more people to check their risk, test and take action where necessary, we can help reduce exposure to this potentially harmful gas.’

New scientific research published in July 2026 in the journal Indoor Air provides further insight into the methodology behind the 2022 mapping, which used approximately 561,000 indoor radon measurements alongside more detailed geological information to produce a more accurate assessment of radon potential.

Meanwhile, recent changes to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), introduced in June 2026, have also brought renewed attention to how health and safety hazards are assessed in residential properties. Radon continues to be recognised as a potential housing hazard under the system, highlighting the importance of identifying and managing exposure, particularly for landlords and housing providers.

As part of this year’s campaign, UKRA is highlighting five locations: Barry, Brighton & Hove, Coventry, Leeds, and Lincoln, where the updated mapping has changed the estimated likelihood of properties containing high levels of radon. All areas of the UK have been mapped and given a risk rating, estimating the percentage of homes in an area likely to have high radon concentrations. Ratings range from a less than 1% chance to a greater than 30% chance. A ‘Radon Affected Area’ is one where the estimated probability of a home having high radon levels is 1% or higher.

In some locations, the mapping presents a very different picture of radon risk:

• Brighton & Hove: previously categorised as 1-3% risk, now many parts of the city are in a 5-10% risk area, meaning up to 1 in 10 homes could be affected.
• Barry: 83% of the mapped area of the CF62 postcode district now falls within the 10-30% risk band, upgraded from 5-10% risk in the previous indicative map.
• Coventry: previously not a designated radon-affected area, much of the city and its surrounding area is now in the 5-10% risk band, with some parts at 10-30% risk.
• Leeds: areas in and around Leeds have seen rises, with the suburb of Farsley to the west of the city rising from a less than 1% risk to 5-10% risk.
• Lincoln: areas to the east and south of the city are now deemed to have greater than 30% risk, meaning more than 1 in 3 homes could be affected.

‘Four years after the official maps were updated, we are still seeing widespread surprise when people discover their area is classified very differently,’ said Dr Maria Dugdale, Chair of the UK Radon Association.

‘It’s important to be clear that radon levels haven’t suddenly spiked in these areas,’ stressed Dr Dugdale.

‘Radon has always been present, however modern mapping technology coupled with increased numbers of test results gave us a far clearer picture back in 2022. The problem is that public awareness hasn’t kept pace with the data. Large numbers of people are still relying on outdated assumptions about where radon risk exists or remain unfamiliar with the risks posed by the gas.’

UKHSA recommends testing for all homes in Affected Areas. Employers are also required to assess workplace health and safety risks, including radon. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance requires all workplaces to complete a suitable and sufficient workplace risk assessment, which usually requires testing to be carried out in Radon Affected Areas.

With over 30 years’ experience in radon prevention, Airtech offers a comprehensive range of services to help protect properties from radon. This includes radon mapping for housing providers to identify and prioritise properties requiring testing in their housing stock, radon testing programmes and remediation solutions, such as positive input ventilation (PIV) and active radon sumps. The company also provides ongoing servicing and maintenance of PIV and sumps to keep radon at safe levels and also help stop the build-up of grease and dirt damaging the systems and avoid future breakdowns.

During Radon Awareness Week, UKRA is encouraging homeowners, landlords and employers to check the latest radon map, arrange testing where appropriate and take action if elevated radon levels are identified.

‘The great news about radon is that this is a risk we can do something about,’ Dr Dugdale concluded. ‘We cannot see it, smell it or taste it - but we can measure it, and if levels are high, we can reduce them. This Radon Awareness Week, we want people to stop assuming that radon is someone else’s problem and start checking the risk where they live and work.’

For more information and to find out how Airtech can help find the right solution call 01293 204250 email [email protected] or visit www.airtechsolutions.co.uk.