Homeowners, employers urged to test for radon

A RADIATION watchdog has urged homeowners and employers in areas where there are high levels of potentially lethal radon gas to have tests carried out.

Radon gas, which occurs naturally and is known to cause lung cancer, may be responsible for up to 200 deaths every year, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland said.

Institute chairman Dr Frank Mulligan described as disappointing the response to an earlier call to have tests carried out in homes, schools and workplaces. In Ennis and Tralee, areas where there are high concentrations of radon, just under half of employers contacted failed to respond to correspondence. Other high-risk areas include parts of Sligo, Mayo, Galway and the south-east.

“People can be exposed to radon in the home, in schools and in the workplace. The institute’s radon maps identify those parts of the country where buildings are most likely to have high radon levels,” said Dr Mulligan at the launch of the institute’s annual report.

“We urge people to have a test done so that if there is a high level they can take steps to remedy the problem.”

The studies of workplaces showed that 13.9% of those in Tralee had significant amounts of radon. In Ennis, the figure was 4.6%

The annual report revealed there was a reduction of 81% in levels of radon was achieved in 97 schools where tests were carried out. The report also highlighted the problem of radon in drinking water, identifying it as a potentially significant additional health risk. This is particularly true of private groundwater supplies. A study of 166 in Waterford showed 70 had significant levels of radon.

The RPII, which regulates, monitors and advises in matters relating to radiation, carried out 82 inspections last year, initiated several prosecutions and attended a number of incidents last year.

Two un-named airport authorities were convicted and fined for the

unlicensed custody of X-ray machines. A pharmaceutical company was prosecuted for the unlicensed custody of uranium while a local authority was prosecuted after being found to be in the unlicensed possession of two nuclear moisture density gauges.