title: The cost-effectiveness of radon-proof membranes in new homes: a case study from Brixworth, Northamptonshire, UK.
abstract: Installing radon-proof membranes in new homes can reduce the exposure of those living in the properties to the radiation caused by a build up of radon gas. This paper considers whether doing so is cost-effective for a group of new houses constructed in the village of Brixworth, Northamptonshire, UK. The measure of cost-effectiveness used is cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained. Brixworth is situated in a high-radon area of the UK. As a result, all properties built there must comply with building regulations that require installation of membranes. When compared with a number of medical interventions and a well-established threshold value for cost-effectiveness, the use of membranes in new properties in the village is shown to be cost-effective. This result also pertains when adjustment is made for a number of assumptions adopted in estimating the cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research to establish whether or not the use of membranes in new properties in other areas would be cost-effective.
authors.affiliation: School of Accounting, Finance and Economics, Liverpool John Moores University, John Foster Building, 98 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool L3 5UZ, UK. T.Coskeran@ljmu.ac.uk
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coskeran
authors.forename: Antony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Denman
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tornberg
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004739:England; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005160:Facility Design and Construction / Q000191:economics; D006798:Housing / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D011886:Radon
chemical_list: D011886:Radon