Land contamination is something that needs to be considered by anyone looking to develop a site to build housing on. Most contamination unfortunately is associated with human activities. When a site has previously been used for industrial purposes, such as a former factory or a mine, the land in the area can often be contaminated with things like toxic chemicals and substances like asbestos.
Contamination From Past Land Use
Even farming can cause problems. Land that has been used for farming can often have traces of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which need to be removed by a professional like this soil remediation company soilfix.co.uk/services/soil-remediation before the land can be developed.
What Is Radon Gas?
However, there are also areas where the danger comes from the natural environment. Radon gas is a radioactive gas that causes serious harm to human health; over time it can lead to cancers if someone is exposed to it constantly in their home.
Although it mainly comes from the natural world, and you can check the UK radon map to see the places in the UK that are most heavily affected by radon, it can also be caused by former mining activities in an area.
Areas where it occurs naturally will have a lot of granite in the land, such as Dartmoor which lies on a granite base, as well as parts of Wales and Cornwall.
Buying in a Radon Area
When buying a house in an area that is classed as a high radon area, it is highly recommended that you have it tested for radon beforehand. There are measures that can be put in place to reduce the danger, so you don’t need to worry if it is found, as long as the correct processes are put into place.