Radon gas: The most radioactive places in Basingstoke

Our town, along with some of the nearby villages, has an abundance of the radioactive gas, Radon.

Radon gas is a naturally occurring, odourless, colourless and tasteless gas which in high levels can increase the risk of cancer.

Radon is formed by radioactive decay from the small amounts of uranium that can be found naturally in all rocks and soils. This means that it is everywhere.

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The most radioactive places in Basingstoke (Image: UK Health Security Agency)

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.

Using the map, we've identified the areas deemed 'most radioactive', and put together a list, readers can find out more by visiting ukradon.org/information/ukmaps#.

The following areas are in the highest bands of elevated radon potential in Basingstoke with the maximum radon potential for each area being five to 10 per cent.

• East Oakley
• Kempshott
• Hatch Warren
• Beggarwood
• Dummer
• Cliddesden
• Farleigh Wallop

The following areas are in the second-highest bands of elevated radon potential in Basingstoke with the maximum radon potential for each area being three to five per cent.

• Town Centre
• Eastrop
• Old Basing
• Sherborne Saint John
• Ellisfield
• Dummer

The following areas are in the lowest band of radon potential, with less than one per cent of homes at or above the Action Level.

• Chineham
• Salters Heath
• Tadley
• Bramley