Untested schools sign up for radon survey

MOST of the 565 schools which have not been tested for a high presence of radon gas have signed up to be surveyed next year.

Long-term exposure to high levels of the naturally-occurring gas can lead to lung cancer.

A survey of more than 3,400 primary and second-level schools between 1998 and 2000 found that around 300 had levels in some rooms which required major remedial work. A further 900 had slightly lower levels and were given Department of Education funding to install vents in classrooms to bring down radon concentrations.