Measures to remove dangerously high levels of radon gas should be taken when houses are being sold, the Radiological Protection Institute said today.
The RPII said almost 90,000 houses across the State have radon concentrations above recommended levels. It has made a submission to the Law Reform Commission and has written to financial institutions and insurance companies on the issue.
Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is responsible for up to 200 lung cancer deaths every year in Ireland.
"The simple fact is that there are unsafe homes being sold in Ireland every day," said RPII Director of Advisory Services Tony Colgan.
"Voluntary assessment has so far resulted in finding less than 3 per cent of affected homes, which leaves approximately 250,000 people living in extremely unhealthy surroundings," Dr Colgan said.
"Any physically dangerous defects in the structure of a home are checked by the conveyancing process and must be remedied before mortgage approval is given. The same should apply to radon. Remediation is relatively straightforward and inexpensive - no one should have to live with the danger."
Several parts of the country have been identified as high-risk areas for radon, including extensive areas of counties Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Kerry, Waterford, Wicklow, Wexford, Kilkenny and Carlow.
Further details are available on the RPII's website, www.rpii.ie/radon