Radon rules failing to protect homes

NEW building regulations designed to reduce dangerous levels of a radioactive gas cannot guarantee that homes are adequately protected, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) has warned.

An RPII survey revealed around 10% of homes built after July, 1998, which should contain radon barriers, had gas levels above the national recommendations.

One recently-built house was recorded with radon over seven times the national safety level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre.