Newtonmore and Carrbridge head teachers offer reassurance over radon levels
Head teachers from two strath primary schools which have tested above the statutory limit for levels of a potentially harmful gas have delivered a clear message to parents – there’s nothing to worry about!
Ms Jan Filshie of Newtonmore Primary and Mrs Clare Lake from Carrbridge Primary were speaking after it emerged that the two schools were over the action levels of radon during recent inspections by Highland Council.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium that is present in all rocks and soils. Everyone breathes it in every day, usually at very low levels, but exposure to high levels of radon increases the risk of developing lung cancer.
In open air, it disperses very quickly, but can accumulate to high levels in buildings. The amount in the indoor air depends on the local geology and the building design, heating, ventilation and use.
Ms Filshie said: "It’s nothing to worry about because it’s a naturally occurring gas that’s in everybody’s homes and it’s not in any areas that the children are spending hours in.
"I know that Highland Council are taking some remedial action so I’m just waiting for dates for those things. We’re not hugely concerned, but we are aware.
"The parents get their letter at the beginning of the week, so they knew about it."
Mrs Lake said: "We were happy to have the radon tags put in to test. We had 13 in the school and 12 of those came back absolutely fine. It was only one that was slightly higher than expected.
"It is a slight concern, but we’re happy that Highland Council have been very quick to respond and put in place ways that we can deal with it.
"We have a facilities management team that are going around following up the recommendations."
Carrbridge Primary and Newtonmore Primary were among 39 Highland Council buildings in the latest radon survey. Only three sites were found to be above the statutory action level, Ardgour Primary being the third.
A council spokesperson said: "Where radon levels are found to be above the statutory action level, the council and their specialist radon advisor, working in consultation with Public Health England (PHE), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and each property’s responsible premises officer, will examine the results of the testing and the construction detail of the property and will decide on the most appropriate remedial measures to take.
"Based on experience elsewhere, this is likely to involve increasing the ventilation under a suspended floor or sucking out the radon from under a solid floor using a fan. Other control options, such as positive pressure systems or occupancy restrictions, may also be considered if appropriate and practical.
"There has been ongoing liaison with PHE and the HSE throughout the council’s radon monitoring programme, and this will continue for the three schools identified under the latest round of monitoring."
The spokesperson continued: "Remedial works to properties will be arranged by the council’s development and infrastructure service, and any management actions required within the property will be arranged by the property responsible premises officers.
"Wherever possible this will be arranged to minimise any impact on service delivery, with any major remediation works being programmed for the summer holidays whenever possible.
"This is a similar approach to that which has been very successfully applied to council properties elsewhere where mitigation works substantially reduced initially recorded levels of radon."
