24 prisons in UK face extreme Radon level exposure:Gas is the primary cause of lung cancer among inmates staff

Hundreds of prisoners and prison staff in the UK may have been exposed to unsafe levels of Radon, a UK-based news organisation, Independent, reported. These findings have raised fresh concerns about prison safety and the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) handling of the issue. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas linked to lung cancer. According to the report, the government testing found elevated levels of the gas at multiple prisons across the country. What does the data say? According to newly released Ministry of Justice records obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, 24 prisons have recorded radon levels above the legal limit at some point. This set of prisons comes after 16 prisons were previously identified earlier this year. As of last month, nine prisons were still recording radon levels above the official action threshold, requiring measures to reduce exposure. The affected prisons include- 1. HMP Dartmoor 2. East Sutton Park 3. Exeter 4. Leeds 5. Lincoln 6. Maidstone 7. Parc 8. Portland 9. The Verne Prison authorities have introduced measures such as restricting access to affected areas or temporarily closing parts of the facilities to limit exposure. When did the issue actually arise? The issue first came to national attention after HMP Dartmoor in Devon was closed in 2024. Tests found radon concentrations in some parts of the prison reaching up to 10 times the recommended limit. Hundreds of former prisoners and prison staff have since joined legal action against the Ministry of Justice, alleging they were exposed to unsafe levels of the gas for prolonged periods and are seeking compensation. Since then, the Ministry of Justice says it has strengthened radon monitoring and mitigation measures across the prison estate and continues to manage affected sites in line with health and safety regulations. However, legal claims and regulatory scrutiny over past exposure remain ongoing. What is Radon? Radon is a colourless, odourless radioactive gas produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in rocks and soil. It can accumulate inside buildings, particularly in poorly ventilated areas. According to the UK Health Security Agency, long-term exposure increases the risk of lung cancer and is linked to more than 1,100 lung cancer deaths annually in the UK. The rules and regulations of the country require employers to reduce radon exposure if annual workplace levels exceed 300 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m³). In sleeping areas such as prison cells, the recommended threshold is even lower, at 200 Bq/m³. These revelations come as Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces mounting pressure over a prison overcrowding crisis that has already forced the government to release some offenders early to free up space. The latest safety concerns could further complicate efforts to manage prison capacity while maintaining safe conditions for inmates and staff. ​