A NATURALLY occurring radioactive gas has been detected in the basement of a Victorian building in Abergavenny's town centre.

It has long been known that parts of Monmouthshire, including Abergavenny potentially have higher than average levels of radon and following a routine inspection at a business in the town, detectable levels of the gas were discovered with measures now being taken to eradicate the problem.

The gas was detected in the basement of the Barclays Bank building at 57 Frogmore Street in Abergavenny and the banking giant is now seeking planning permission and Listed Building consent for the installation of a sump pump and associated pipework, fans and vents to sufficiently ventilate the building to help alleviate the gasses.

The odourless radon gas accounts for half of the radiation dosage each of us receives and comes from the minute amounts of uranium that occur naturally in all rocks and soils and is particularly prevalent in the South West of England and in the Welsh valleys.

Long-term exposure may increase the risk of lung cancer as radon attaches itself to the cells lining the lungs and is dangerous for people like smokers whose cells may already be damaged.

A spokesman for Barclays Bank said that the levels of the gas detected were minute and measures to rectify the problem were being sought.

He added: "Radon is a gas that can seep out of the ground and build up in houses and indoor workplaces. The highest levels are usually found in underground spaces such as basements, caves and mines.

"As standard practice we frequently test for radon levels across our entire branch network. In this instance a small pocket of radon has been identified in the lower basement levels of the Abergavenny branch and as a precautionary measure we have decided to install a simple radon sump to rectify the issue.

"We would like to point out that at no time were customers or staff ever at risk."

The Government's advice for businesses which use cellars, basements and other poorly ventilated ground floor rooms and therefore could have problems with radon levels is that they should have the property checked on a regular basis, advice which is echoed by Monmouthshire County Council.

A spokesman for the authority said: "The only way to know for sure if radon is present is to carry out a test. These are relatively inexpensive. 

"Businesses have a duty under the Ionising Radiation Regulations and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations to protect their employees. 

"Home owners would have to pay for a testing pack to do the tests themselves, but these are relatively inexpensive and easy to carry out.

"For new builds these measures would already be covered under the requirements of Building Regulations."

However, there is an important message to remember amid the warnings about the small levels of the gas being detected and that is to keep things in perspective and, as Corporal Jones would say, 'don't panic'!

For more information visit the Health Protection Agency's website at http://www.hpa.org.uk">www.hpa.org.uk for maps and advice for potential radon areas and how to deal with the levels of the radioactive gas that may be building up in residential properties.