Potholers 'facing risk from radiation'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.POTHOLERS and other cave users are being exposed to radiation levels from radon gas up to 230 times the official safety limit in homes, according to a survey.
The Health and Safety Executive is meeting today to discuss the problem.
A study by Manchester Metropolitan University, which will be published next month, found the average level of radiation in caves was 2,900 becquerels per cubic metre. The National Radiological Protection Board recommends removing radon from homes if the level is above 200 Bq.
Radon comes from uranium in soil and rocks which decays to form radioactive particles. These can cause lung cancer. An estimated 2,500 people each year are killed by radon.
Researchers and the National Caving Association believe that although only a few people are at risk it is important that everyone is told of the potential dangers.
Forty caves were tested in the survey. The highest average yearly figure was 46,000 Bq for the Giant's Hole in Derbyshire - a popular tourist attraction.
Levels peak in summer when airflow is reduced. Some cavers spend hundreds of hours underground each year. Many are now reducing this and are being careful about which caves they use.
Robert Hyland, the report's researcher, said: 'We feel that individuals and organisations which take people caving have a moral obligation to inform those in their care of the risk from radon.'
The HSE is considering issuing safety guidelines.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments