Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

Radon gas levels were the subject of a "Primetime" programme on Thursday evening last. I raised this matter in the House in February 2005 and numerous questions relating to it have been raised here in the interim. New research published yesterday by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, shows extremely worrying levels of radon gas in households throughout the country. According to the new data, every county in Ireland has at least some homes that exceed the safe limit of 200 Bq/m3 of air. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which is colourless, odourless, and tasteless and that is what makes it so dangerous. It is cited as the leading cause of between 150 to 200 deaths from lung cancer each year. Up to 90% of these cases occur in smokers or ex-smokers. These individuals have a much higher chance of developing lung cancer following exposure to radon than do non-smokers.

Results from counties in the west, south east and south show particularly high levels of radon. However, no part of Ireland is immune. County Sligo has the highest percentage of homes with levels of radon that are above the national reference level in respect of the gas. Some 24% of the homes tested in Sligo are above the safe level. More than 15% of the homes tested in Waterford, Galway, Carlow, Wicklow, Mayo and Wexford are also above the safe level. To date, almost 38,000 homes have been tested since the introduction of such testing in the early 1990s. The RPII believes that only 5% of the estimated homes with unsafe radon levels have been identified. It is believed that 91,000 homes are above the national reference level. This is a matter of grave concern because thousands of people are being exposed, unknown to them, to radon gas in their homes.

Some 40% of the 50 highest measurements of radon levels in homes throughout the country were recorded in Kerry. These include the highest ever recorded level of radon in a home. The house in question is in Castelisland and the level recorded there was 245 times higher than the safe limit. In the past 12 years, three of the people who occupied the house have died. The RPII announced on the 13 October last that two homes in Tralee were identified as having levels of radon that were among the highest found in Europe. These new reported levels were the third and fourth highest measurements found in the country to date. The homes involved had concentrations of radon of 13,797 Bq/m3 and 8,490 Bq/m3, respectively. The data to which I refer indicates that the Tralee-Castleisland area is a major radon hot spot. It also indicates that many more houses in area have high, unsafe levels of radon but have not been identified because they have not been tested.

I appeal for the introduction of a national strategy in respect of radon. The RPII cannot deal with all aspects of the radon issue. Although there has been good co-operation between the RPII and other State agencies, including local authorities, the Health Service Executive and the Health and Safety Authority on reducing the risk posed by radon, it is important that this co-operation be developed into a cohesive national strategy aimed at addressing the radon problem. The strategy should be spearheaded by a Government Minister. This approach was advocated at the radon forum which took place last November.

In 2009, the World Health Organisation published a radon handbook containing models for radon programmes. One of the recommendations contained in the handbook is to link radon to the conveyancing of homes. Certificates confirming that radon levels are below the reference level are already required to be produced in England, Wales, Sweden and some parts of the United States when houses are being sold. Ireland should follow that example. In 1999 the Swedish Government decided that radon levels in all homes should be below the reference level by 2020. It should be our objective to ensure that all homes in this country are below this level by 2030.

Since the introduction of the building regulations in 1997, there has been a requirement to the effect that radon barriers should be put in place in new buildings in high radon areas and that stand-by sumps should be installed in all areas. I strongly recommend that the regulation should be changed to provide radon barriers in all new houses in every part of the country.

Another recommendation that could be considered for inclusion in a national strategy is the provision of free testing and remediation grants in designated hot spots. At present, Sustainable Energy Ireland provides grants in respect of house insulation. This scheme could be extended to include a grant for radon remediation, where required.

This is an issue of national importance. The introduction of a strategy such as that to which I refer could mean life or death for many people. It is time the Government showed leadership. It should not leave it to the RPII, other agencies or individuals to resolve the difficulties relating to this matter. I hope the Government will put in place a national strategy because that is the only way in which we can tackle this issue.

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