Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Deenihan for raising this important matter and I welcome the opportunity to inform the House of the current position in respect of radon.

In July 2008 the RPII published the results of a landmark study, Radiation Doses Received by the Irish Population. The report indicates that natural radiation sources account for almost 86% of all radiation exposure received by the Irish population. Radon alone accounts for 56% of total exposure. By comparison, artificial radiation sources, such as those emanating from overseas nuclear energy facilities, account for a mere 0.4% of the total radiation dosage we receive. The report concludes that in terms of reducing our exposure to radiation, radon is the area where the greatest impact is possible.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which is found in variable amounts in rocks and soil. Ireland's unique geology gives rise to radon levels that are above the international average and are the sixth highest in the world. Radon is a known carcinogen. Long-term exposure to high radon levels presents a direct risk to human health. This makes radon a public health issue. The RPII estimates that 150 to 200 annual lung cancer deaths in Ireland are linked to radon. These figures represent approximately 10% to 15% of all such deaths.

The national survey of radon in Irish dwellings was conducted by the RPII between 1992 and 1999. Approximately 28% of the country is designated as a high radon area, where more than 10% of households are predicted to have radon concentrations above the national reference level of 200 Bq/m3. This is the threshold, defined by the RPII, above which it is recommended that remediation works be carried out. High radon areas found in almost every county but are mainly concentrated in the south east and the west.

From the results of the national radon survey, it was estimated that approximately 7% of our total housing stock has radon levels above the national reference level. The RPII recommends that every householder have his or her home tested for radon. The RPII and a number of private companies offer a radon measurement service to householders. The cost of this service varies from €40 to €80. Radon measurement is non-intrusive, involving the placing of two small, palm-sized radon detectors in the home. It takes three months to complete.

Since 1998 the building regulations require all new buildings to incorporate radon protection measures at the time of construction. With regard to houses built before 1998, the Government's approach, which is similar to that of the majority of EU member states, is to concentrate on awareness-raising. The RPII, in partnership with local authorities and the HSE, has carried out targeted information campaigns in high radon areas. In some areas where particularly high radon levels have been found, householders have been contacted directly. This encourages householders to address monitoring and remedial requirements effectively and economically.

There are proven and effective remediation techniques to reduce indoor radon concentrations at a reasonable cost. Technical guidance on radon remediation techniques is available in a booklet issued by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the RPII. In addition, the website of the RPII provides a list of companies which can provide radon remediation services and which can offer specific advice and recommendations. There is nothing complex about these techniques and the majority involve relatively simple building work.

The Department has given approval to a number of local authorities to undertake, on a sample basis, radon surveys of their housing stock in high incidence areas. In addition, the RPII has directly contacted local authorities with known areas of high radon concentration in order to encourage them to test their housing stock for radon and, where necessary, take remedial action. A number of local authorities are already taking action in this regard and it is intended to build on their and the RPII's experience in this area.

The Department will continue to work closely with the RPII, the HSE, local authorities and other interested agencies to raise public awareness and to promote radon testing and remediation works. This multi-agency approach to dealing with radon is in line with international best practice.

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