Warning over radon level in homes

Only 5% of homes believed to have high levels of a cancer-causing gas have been identified, experts warned today.

About 5,000 of the 91,000 houses estimated to have potentially dangerous readings of radon have been discovered by authorities.

The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) said counties in the west, south-east and south returned the highest rates of homes with high levels of the gas.

Dr Ann McGarry, RPII chief executive, urged people living in these areas to take the matter seriously.

“Because radon is odourless, colourless and tasteless, many people are unknowingly living with dangerous levels of radiation in their homes,” she said.

“Homeowners, especially those in high radon areas, need to take this matter seriously and measure radon levels in their homes to ensure that they and their families are not at risk.”

Radon is a colourless, odourless and tasteless radioactive gas that is linked to up to 200 lung cancer deaths each year in Ireland.

The RPII said a quarter of homes tested in Sligo are above the acceptable level.

In Waterford, Galway, Carlow, Wicklow, Mayo and Wexford the rate is greater than 15%. Seven other counties returned results where more than 10% are high.

Ten of the 15 highest individual measurements were in Kerry, where the overall rate of homes tested above the acceptable level is 14%.

And the RPII said there is no county without a home with a high radon level.

The institute has created an interactive radon map on their website, www.rpii.ie, for people to check if their address is in a high radon area.