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Radon, a colourless, odourless and tasteless radioactive
gas is linked to up to 200 lung cancer deaths each year in
Ireland.
Counties in the west, southeast and south of the country
are returning the highest rates of homes with high radon levels.
In Sligo, 24 per cent of the homes tested by the Radiological
Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII)
are above the acceptable level. In Waterford, Galway, Carlow,
Wicklow, Mayo and Wexford, the rate is greater than 15 per
cent. Seven other counties returned results where more than
10 per cent are high.
There is no county in Ireland without a home with a high
radon level.
Ten of the fifteen highest individual measurements have been
found in Kerry, where the overall rate of homes tested above
the acceptable level is 14 per cent. These were recorded in
the area around Tralee and Castelisland.
Dr. Ann McGarry, Chief Executive of the RPII, said - “Because
radon is odourless, colourless and tasteless, many people
are unknowingly living with dangerous levels of radiation
in their homes. 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.”
Since establishing its radon measurement programme in the
early 1990s, the RPII has measured almost 38,000 homes in
Ireland. However, by the end of 2009, just over 5% (4922)
of the estimated 91,000 homes above the national Reference
Level have been identified.
The RPII has redeveloped its website so that anyone can now
search for their address on an interactive
radon map to see whether their home or workplace is
in a High Radon Area. They can find out what they need to
know
about radon - what it is, why it is a problem and
how they can have a measurement made. Information can also
be obtained on freefone 1800 300 600.
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 for a three-month period. The
detectors are small and can be sent and returned by post for
analysis. The RPII and a number of private companies provide
a radon measurement service. The cost of a measurement is
between €40 and €80.
To download summary results of the radon measurements carried
out by the RPII in each county up to 31st December 2009 -
Click
Here
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