Council praised for eradicating risks from radon

A LOCAL authority was praised yesterday for eradicating the risks posed by a potentially deadly gas found in its housing stock.

However, experts from Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) warned that more householders must test their homes for radon.

“The message is simple — exposure to high levels of radon in your home can lead to lung cancer,” senior RPII scientist David Fenton said. “The only way to find out the level of radon in your home is to take the radon test.

“If high levels are found, it is straightforward to reduce them. I would urge people to protect themselves by taking the radon test.”

He issued his warning during the RPII’s National Radon Forum in Cork yesterday.

The forum heard Cork Co Council had tested more than 4,500 homes, including all of its social housing stock in high radon areas, for the deadly gas.

It confirmed parts of the county, especially north Cork, have a particular problem with radon.

The survey identified more than 200 homes with high levels of the gas, and works were undertaken to reduce the radon levels.

“Cork County Council is the first local authority to undertake such a comprehensive radon testing and remediation programme,” said Mr Fenton. “In doing so, it has ensured that the risk to its tenants from high radon levels has been eliminated. The council has effectively drawn the roadmap for measuring social housing stocks that other local authorities can follow.”

Radon is the second biggest cause of lung cancer after smoking and is linked to up to 200 lung cancer deaths each year in Ireland.

New research, conducted by Millward Brown Lansdowne on behalf of the RPII, also showed that, while awareness of radon gas is high throughout the country, the likelihood of people actually getting their homes tested remains low.

The research shows that 77% of the 1,000 people surveyed were aware of radon gas, with 56% perceiving radon in the home to be a risk to health.

Despite the high levels of awareness, an incredible 61% of those aware of radon were unlikely to have their homes tested.

Mr Fenton said the figures are very encouraging in terms of awareness, but the large percentage of people who said they were unlikely to take the radon test is of concern.