be the second major cause of lung cancer, will be made public within a few weeks.

Chief health inspector, Mr. Patrick Mayers, said yesterday that the tests are complete and the data is now being analysed.

"There is definitely radon on the Island,'' he said. "But we now have to determine whether the concentration is any major concern.'' Mr. Mayers said there are processes which can be used to reduce the concentration of radon and these would be made known at a later date if they were required.

Tests were conducted at 50 households throughout the Island last month after the US Naval Air Station disclosed that the natural gas had been detected on the base.

Radon can accumulate in geographical formulations and seep into nearby buildings. It becomes especially dangerous in a poorly ventilated house or business when it builds up to a high concentration.