Minister of State Tony Killeen T.D. has expressed concern over the number of Clare homes recording excess levels of the cancer causing radioactive gas radon.The local T.D. was commenting following the publication of a report by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) indicating that 346 or 11% of the 3115 Clare homes tested had radon readings above the Reference Level of 200 Bq/m3.
One home in Ennis was identified as having concentrations of radon gas 11 times above the acceptable level. The home had a measurement of 2237 becquerels of radon per cubic metre (Bq/m3), which is a radiation dose equivalent to receiving nearly 2800 chest X-rays per year.
Expressing his concern, Minister of State Killeen said: “It is very likely that there are more homes in Clare with similarly high radon levels and, therefore, I would urge local people to test for the gas and reduce their risk of lung cancer. Exposure to radon gas is linked to some 200 lung cancer deaths each year in Ireland”.
The Clare T.D., who is a former Minister with responsibility for the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, noted: “Areas of Clare registered where more than 10% of houses are predicted to have high radon levels in excess of 200 Bq/m3 include the entire North Clare area from Kilshanny to Belharbour and Carron to Doolin, along with Ballynacally, Shannon, Sixmilebridge, Bunratty, Quin, Tulla and Feakle. The parts of Clare that have a predicted 20% or more of houses registering radon levels in excess of 200 Bq/m3, include Ennis and its environs, Crusheen, Corofin, Ruan, Kilnamona, Inagh, Clarecastle and Newmarket on Fergus.”
The Minister urged all householders, particularly those living in High Radon Areas, to have their homes tested for the gas. Minister Killeen added: “It is unnecessary for the public to put themselves at risk from radon. Householders need to take this matter seriously and measure radon levels in their homes to ensure that they and their families are not at risk. Where there is a need to reduce levels, remediation is relatively cheap compared to other household repairs and resolves the situation immediately.”
He continued: “Testing for radon involves the placing of one radon detector in a bedroom and a second in a living room for a three-month period. The detectors are the size of an air freshener and can be sent and returned by post for analysis. A number of private companies and the RPII provide a radon measurement service to the public for as little as EUR56.”
Radon is a Class-1 carcinogen. Long-term exposure to radon increases the risk of lung cancer. Based on current knowledge it is estimated that in Ireland, for the population as a whole, a lifetime exposure (i.e. 70 yrs) to radon in the home at the Reference Level of 200 Bq/m3 carries a risk of about 1 in 50 of contracting fatal lung cancer. This is approximately twice the risk of death in a road accident. Radon is linked to approximately 200 lung cancer deaths in Ireland every year. For people who smoke, or who have smoked, the risk from radon is considerably greater than for people who never smoked.
The RPII has redeveloped its website (www.rpii.ie) so that anyone can now search for their address on an interactive radon map to see whether their home or workplace is in an area predicted to have high radon levels. 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.
