Rise in radon gas detection levels

Nearly 600 homes across the Republic have been found to have high levels of cancer-causing radon gas so far this year.

Nearly 600 homes across the Republic have been found to have high levels of cancer-causing radon gas so far this year.

This is the highest number identified in any period since the national radon measurement programme began, according to the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII).

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.

The rise in the number of homes identified is attributed in part to the fact that more houses have been measured this year than ever before.

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A total of 4,296 homes were measured by the RPII for radon gas between January 1st and August 30th. Of these, 597 were above the acceptable level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3).

Six homes in Lisdoonvarna, Clonmel, Ballymote and Tralee were found to have more than ten times the acceptable level with measurements between 2000 and 3500 Bq/m3.

The radiation dose to the occupants of the home with the highest radon levels were equivalent to receiving 4375 chest X-rays per year or 12 chest X-rays per day.

The institute said it is working closely with these householders to ensure successful remediation of their homes to reduce the radon levels and the risk to their health.

Fifty-eight homes measured had radon levels of between 800 and 2000 Bq/m3, and were found in Galway, Sligo, Kerry, Cork, Mayo, Waterford, Carlow, Clare, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow.

The remaining 533 results had readings of between 200 and 800 Bq/m3 and were found throughout the country.

"These figures show us that thousands of families throughout the country are unknowingly living with very high concentrations of radon gas and therefore they have no idea that they are at increased risk of developing lung cancer," said the institute's chief executive Dr Ann McGarry.

“Homeowners need to take this matter seriously and measure radon levels in their home. It doesn’t matter if you live in a new or old house, in a high or low radon risk area, or even if your home already has a radon barrier. The only way to make sure that you and your family are not at risk is to test," she added.

Labour Party environment spokeswoman Joanna Tuffy said every assistance possible should be made available to people who wanted to take steps to address the problem in their own home.

Ms Tuffy said the cost of carrying out remediation to reduce radon levels in homes with high levels was "a major disincentive to carrying out remediation".

Labour had introduced a grant scheme in 1997 but it was never implemented by the subsequent governments.

"The urgent need for such a scheme has not disappeared, even if our financial capacity to fund it from the public purse has. It is still the case that we need a national strategy to combat exposure of householders to the gas, and I believe that such a scheme should be put in place as soon as is feasible."

Measuring for radon and, in the event of a high reading, reducing the levels present are both relatively inexpensive. To test for radon, one radon detector is placed in a bedroom and a second in a living room. The detectors are small and are sent and returned by post to the institute.