A deadly gas under the floorboards

The paper concerns radon gas in buildings in the United Kingdom, and its effect as a major public health hazard. It is estimated by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) that this gas is probably the single biggest cause of lung cancer in Britain, after smoking, killing around 900 people every year. The findings of a national survey carried out by NRPB on radon concentrations in 2,300 homes are discussed. Sources of radon gas are described, as well as measures to reduce radon levels in buildings. (U.K.)