Presence of the radioactive and carcinogenic gas radon in the Lot: is your home affected?

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The radon is a natural radioactive gas which comes mainly from granitic and volcanic soils. This gas diffuses into the ground and can then enter homes mainly due to the lack of sealing (cracks, pipes) between the ground and the inhabited area. THE Lot department East concerned by the presence of this gas which can present health hazards.

To detect the presence of gas in houses in the Lot, the ADIL (Departmental Housing Information Agency) of the Lot joins forces with the ARS 46 to offer kits which allow measure the concentration of this gas in your accommodation.

Radon, a health hazard

Radon gas has been recognized as a definite lung carcinogen for humans since 1987 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO) and represents in France the second cause of lung cancer after tobacco. It is therefore a major public health issue.

In the Occitanie region, almost all departments are affected by radon (presence of municipalities with “medium to high” potential according to the IRSN map); only Gers and Tarn-et-Garonne are very little affected.

Many municipalities concerned in the Lot

The Lot department brings together 313 municipalities over an area of ​​5,217 thousand^m2.

Eight of these municipalities are located in zone 2 for radon, or a little less than 2%. Others, especially in the far north-east of the department, and numbering 47, occupy radon zone 3, or 15% of the total.

ARS Occitanie is committed to deploying a radon screening campaign in individual homes and raising awareness of this risk in certain areas. Radon measurement is done using a dosimeter. This measurement is generally done during the winter period, during which the building is less well ventilated. The Lot ARS entrusted this action to the local ADIL.

Anyone can collect radon kits from the ADIL offices in Figeac, Saint-Céré, Biars-sur-Cère, Cajarc, Sousceyrac, Lacapelle-Marival. It is possible to call ADIL on 05 65 35 25 41 for more information.

How to avoid radon

Radon comes mainly from the ground; it is essential to ensure the airtightness of the ground-building interface. This impermeability mainly concerns the joints between the floor and the walls (often behind the partitions). Care must also be taken to seal cracks in the floor, wall and network passages in the slabs as well as drainage inside the ducts. It is also important to treat the base (crawl space, cellar, paving on the ground), by ventilating it (either mechanically or naturally) or by placing it in slight depression in relation to the inhabited volume by mechanical extraction when possible. .

Generally, a properly ventilated crawl space is sufficient to prevent radon from entering the home.

Good natural or mechanized ventilation of the building will allow residual radon to be evacuated. Regular ventilation of the premises by carefully opening the sashes further improves the elimination of radon but also of other indoor air pollutants. Double-flow ventilation with excess pressure can also slow down the penetration of radon.

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