Radon gas detectors (FOI)

​​​Request

A

How many people have ordered a radon detector kit in Jersey?

B

What is the highest radon reading across the island and where was this recorded?

C

How many properties have Environmental Health tested for radon?

D

Of the homes Environmental Health tested for radon, how many did they detect radon in?

E

Of the homes Environmental Health tested, how many may contain radon at a level that requires action?

F

How many schools in Jersey are now fitted with radon detectors? 

G

Please explain why these have been fitted in schools.

Response

A

The Government of Jersey does not provide Radon detectors; therefore, this information is not held, and Article 3 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 applies.

Individuals are able to order Radon Home Measurement Packs directly from the UK Health Security Agency. These detectors are returned for analysis and the results are posted directly back to the individual. Please see the following link for further information:

UK Radon – Home (ukradon.org)

 B

There is no legal requirement for a homeowner to advise the Government of Jersey of radon levels within their property. This information is therefore not held, and Article 3 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 applies.

​C to E

The information requested is exempt under Article 23 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 as the data is publicly available on the Government of Jersey’s website, as linked below:

Radon Gas in Jersey (gov.je)​

F 

34 schools have been surveyed for Radon Gas using radon detectors. Radon monitors are placed in parts of buildings for a three-month period, after this time they are returned to the UK Health Security agency for analysis. 

G

The radon detectors have been fitted to comply with Work with ionising radiation ‘Approved Code of Practice’ (ACoP2- updated 2020). This enables a determination to be made as to whether the annual average radon level in each school exceeds 300Bq m-3 (becquerels per cubic metre of air).  Where this value is exceeded, mitigation should be installed to bring the radon level down to below 300Bq m-3. 

Articles applied

Article 3 Meaning of “information held by a public authority”

For the purposes of this Law, information is held by a public authority if –

(a)     it is held by the authority, otherwise than on behalf of another person; or

(b)     it is held by another person on behalf of the authority.

Article 23 - Information accessible to applicant by other means 

(1) Information is absolutely exempt information if it is reasonably available to the applicant, otherwise than under this Law, whether or not free of charge.

(2) A scheduled public authority that refuses an application for information on this ground must make reasonable efforts to inform the applicant where the applicant may obtain the information.​