Couple shocked at gas levels in home

MICK and Nora O’Neill were shocked to discover their home had radon gas levels which were six-and-a-half times above the accepted Radiological Protection Institute’s (RPII) safety limit.

Having heard through the media that Kerry had one of the highest radon levels in the country, they got two monitoring devices from Radon Laboratory Services, which they placed in their sittingroom and in an upstairs bedroom of their Tralee home for three months.

Results of tests now show that the Tralee Town Council-owned house, at Spa Road, had an average annual level of 1,312 becqerals, whereas the national reference level is just 200.

“We’ve lived in the house since 1977 with our five children, who’ve now all left home, and this certainly came as a shock to us,” said 60-year-old handyman Mick.

This is a popular residential area, with hundreds of homes, and Mick said everyone should be worried for their own health and the health of their children and grandchildren. The O’Neills have been advised to keep the windows open.

Since the situation in the O’Neill home became known, eight other householders in the area decided to install the monitors and are awaiting the results of tests.

However, other people who were approached in Tralee declined to be interviewed, some fearing the value of their homes would be undermined.

Mr O’Neill has already met town council officials in the hope of having remedial work done at the house, which would involve the provision of a sump to draw the gas away.

The estimated cost per house of completing this remedial work is 2,000.

However, he said he was told the council had no money to undertake these works.

The council could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

“I believe the council, as the owner of the house, has an obligation to ensure it is safe to live in. The Government has plenty of money which is wasted on other things, but this is a health issue and it could be a matter of life, or death,” he said.

Many of the houses in the area were built by the council, but have been purchased by their occupiers. Radon gas is regarded as a major cancer-causing agent, with the same level of risk as asbestos. The gas occurs naturally and can seep from the soil through floorboards, toilets and other inlets to premises. It is believed to cause 150 cases of lung cancer annually.

Meanwhile, the O’Neills have no intention of leaving their home. “We’re going to stay in the house, but the problem has to be fixed,” said Mick.

“We’ve always been very happy here and we’ve very nice neighbours and friends. However, people should realise there’s potentially a massive health problem out there. It’s going to drag on if something isn’t done about it and it will be swept under the carpet,” he warned.