Written answers

Thursday, 23 June 2005

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Radon Gas Levels

8:00 pm

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of homes in County Sligo where high levels of radon are present; his plans to introduce grant aid to home owners for the provision of radon barriers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21864/05]

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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During the years 1992 to 1999, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, carried out a national survey of radon concentration levels in domestic dwellings aimed at assessing the extent of the radon problem in homes. The survey involved the measurement by the RPII of radon for a 12 month period in a random selection of homes in each 10 km by 10 km grid square throughout the country, involving a total of over 11,000 houses.

Of the 270 homes measured for radon in County Sligo during the survey, 54 or 20% exceeded the national reference level of 200 Becquerels per cubic metre, Bq/m3, and the average concentration level was 145 Bq/m3. The highest level measured in the county was 969Bq/m3. Over the years, the Government, largely through the RPII, has committed significant resources to assessing the extent of the radon problem throughout the country and to increasing public awareness of radon. While the provision of Exchequer grant assistance for remediation works is not envisaged, efforts will continue to be directed at improving information to householders so as to enable them to address monitoring or remedial requirements effectively and economically. Radon detection kits are widely available from general hardware stores at a cost of approximately €40.

Upgraded building regulations introduced in June 1997 require all new houses that commenced construction on or after 1 July 1998 to incorporate radon protection measures. In October 2004, my Department published an updated edition of Technical Guidance Document C, TGD-C, on Part C of the Building Regulations — Site Preparation and Resistance to Moisture, incorporating enhanced radon prevention measures for new buildings commencing on or after 1 April 2005. This new guidance document is aimed at ensuring that the 1997 radon protection measures are carried out more effectively. Both the RPII and my Department will continue to use all appropriate opportunities to raise public awareness of radon, to urge householders, particularly those in high radon areas, to have their homes tested for radon and to encourage householders with radon concentrations above the national reference level to undertake the appropriate remediation works.

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