HOME OWNERS who agreed to take a test to see if they are at risk from a deadly cancer-causing gas have been urged to return their results.

Earlier this year we reported that the Health Protection Agency (HPA) was targeting homes in West Oxfordshire in a bid to cut exposure to radioactive radon, which is linked to cases of lung cancer.

Radon is an odourless, colourless, naturally occurring gas which seeps up from the ground into homes.

Long term exposure to radon can lead to lung cancer and it’s estimated that 1,100 people in the UK die from radon-linked illnesses every year.

Properties in the Chipping Norton, Enstone and Charlbury area were thought most at risk.

More than 5,000 homes took up the HPA free test offer, and between late July and September radon test kits were sent out to homes across the district.

But only 3,000 samples have been returned.

Now HPA scientists have urged those who have had their detectors in place for three months to get them in the post.

Jane Bradley, radon team leader at the Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, said: “At this time of year people have got lots to think about and we really don’t want to add to that load.

“What we would like is for those people who took up the testing offer but who may have forgotten about the detectors they put in their home, to seek them out and if it’s been three months pop them in the pre-paid envelope we supplied and get them back to us.”

HPA scientists have been running testing campaigns where levels of the gas are believed to be high, in places like Scotland and Cornwall, for years.

And 10 years ago, 8,500 homes in the Cherwell area were also told they were in potential danger.

Those who took up the offer were advised to place the detectors in their homes for three months and then return them to the HPA where they would be analysed and advice would then be sent to the householder.

One of the solutions to high levels of radon is fitting a sump under homes and pumping out the gas, but that can cost several hundred pounds.

Ms Bradley, above, added: “Over the next week or so many people will be out and about posting Christmas cards. Why not save yourself an extra trip to the post box and get your radon detectors back to us at the same time?

“Then we can analyse your results and get the information that you'll need back to you early in the new year.”