THE LEVELS of radioactive radon gas in Llandudno, Colwyn Bay and the surrounding areas have been revealed.
Public health officials say every building contains radon and levels are usually low, but there are hotspots across the country, caused by the type of ground buildings were constructed on.
An interactive map, provided by the UK Health Security Agency, can tell you whether you live in, or near, an area affected by high levels of radon gas.
The darker the colour, the greater the chance of a higher level of gas.
The risk is less than one home in a hundred in the white areas and greater than one in three in the darkest areas.
According to the map, the vast majority of Llandudno, and all of the Great Orme, are ranked as having between 10 and 30 per cent maximum radon potential.
Areas of Llandudno east of Mostyn Champney’s Retail Park and west of Penrhyn Bay have a radon gas level of either 3-5 per cent or 5-10 per cent.
Rhos-on-Sea, Penrhyn Bay and parts of Old Colwyn also exhibit radon potential of 10-30 per cent, while the town of Colwyn Bay has a maximum level of 5-10 per cent.
Conwy town and Deganwy have even higher levels of radioactive radon gas, with a level of 30 per cent or greater the largest in the region.
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Glan Conwy and Llandudno Junction are divided by varying levels of radon, with some of the area in the 5-10 per cent bracket and a portion in the 10-30 per cent ranking.
What is radon gas?
Radon is formed by the radioactive decay of the small amounts of uranium found naturally in all rocks and soils. This means it is everywhere.
Is radon gas dangerous and am I at risk?
According to UKradon, radon produces a radioactive dust in the air that we breathe.
The dust traps in our airways and emits radiation that damages the inside of our lungs. This damage, like the damage caused by smoking, increases our risk of lung cancer.
The higher the radon and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk.
To reduce risk, UKradon suggests you find out if you live in a radon-risk area and if you do, measure your home. If the radon is high, reduce it and if you smoke, give up.
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