THE LEVELS of radioactive radon gas in Rhyl, Prestatyn and the surrounding areas have been revealed.
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.
According to the map, the vast majority of Rhyl and Kinmel Bay are ranked as having less than one per cent maximum radon potential, the lowest band.
Rhuddlan is divided by several areas of varying levels, with some of the town in the 3-5 per cent bracket, a portion of it ranked 5-10 per cent, and some with a level between 10 and 30 per cent.
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Towyn is largely at the minimum level of radon gas, with some areas to the west falling under the 3-5 per cent.
However, large areas of Prestatyn have higher levels of radon gas potential, with much of the town, particularly in the east, in the elevated 30 per cent and higher category.
The rest of the town falls into the 5-10 per cent and 10-30 per cent categories
What is radon gas?
Radon is formed by the radioactive decay of the small amounts of uranium found naturally in all rocks and soils. This means it is everywhere.
Is radon gas dangerous and am I at risk?
According to UKradon, radon produces a radioactive dust in the air that we breathe.
The dust traps in our airways and emits radiation that damages the inside of our lungs. This damage, like the damage caused by smoking, increases our risk of lung cancer.
The higher the radon and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk.
To reduce risk, UKradon suggests you find out if you live in a radon-risk area and if you do, measure your home. If the radon is high, reduce it and if you smoke, give up.
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