Householders urged to test homes for levels of radioactive gas

HOUSEHOLDERS in Co Sligo and much of the south-east have been urged to test their homes for radioactive radon gas following the release of a study which showed high levels of the gas in these areas.

As many as one in five homes in much of Sligo and wide areas of Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny are estimated to have radioactive levels above recommended limits for this colourless, odourless gas. Prolonged exposure to radon significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer, according to Dr Ann McGarry, principal scientific officer at the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland which carried out the study.

"It is quite well recognised that exposure to high levels of radon increases cancer risks," she said yesterday in Dublin where the report was released. One in 50 people will develop cancer after a lifetime exposure to radon at the limit value she said, and 150 of the 1,500 lung cancer deaths here each year may be linked to radon. The risk increases significantly for smokers exposed to high radon levels, she added.

Dr McGarry also said householders identified in earlier studies as having a radon problem have been slow to take corrective action. Radon levels can easily be reduced but only 10 per cent of householders warned about radon have bothered to do so.

The study is part of an ongoing survey of radon which began some years ago. It estimates the numbers of homes in counties Carlow, Donegal, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Waterford, Westmeath and Wexford thought to have a radon problem.

Much of Sligo and Wexford were found to have excessive radon levels with between 10 and 20 per cent of homes estimated to exceed the limit at which corrective action is recommended. This limit is measured in units of radioactivity called becquerels (Bq) and the action level is 200Bq.

Radon was measured in 3,482 homes in the 14 counties and 285 of these exceeded the action level. The highest level was almost eight times the limit, 1,562Bq recorded in a house in Co Carlow. Co Waterford had relatively few homes above the limit but the highest level there still reached 1,359 Bq in one home.

This illustrates the wide variations that can arise in measurements according to the report. The report also showed radon was a problem in a much wider area than expected, with mountainous and lowland areas affected.

The institute "would urge householders in all high radon areas to have their homes tested", Dr McGarry said. "Our job is to encourage people to get remediation."

An earlier report published in 1996 identified high radon levels in counties Cavan, Dublin, Louth, Monaghan and Wicklow. It built on earlier work carried out by Dr James McLaughlin of University College, Dublin, in the 1980s which indicated high levels in parts of counties Clare and Galway.

"To date over 1,200 homes have been identified as being above the reference level but only about 10 per cent have been remedied," Dr McGarry said. The cost of remediation at between £1,000 and £1,500 on average has been an impediment she said, but the Government's recently announced grant scheme for householders in high risk areas should encourage more to act. This scheme, which begins in January 1998, provides up to 50 per cent of the cost of remediation to a limit of £800.