Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 477: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to alert the public to the dangers of radon; and the measures which people can take to protect themselves. [22969/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Through the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, the Government has committed significant resources to assessing the extent of the radon problem throughout the country and to increasing public awareness of radon.

For example, during the years 1992 to 1999, the RPII carried out a nationwide survey of radon in domestic dwellings. 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 x 10 km grid square throughout the country. In all, more than 11,000 houses were measured. The RPII's website —www.rpii.ie— contains a comprehensive map of the high radon areas in Ireland identified as a result of the nationwide survey as well as the report of the survey. High radon areas are areas where the RPII estimate that more than 10% of the houses in each grid square have radon concentrations levels above the national reference level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre. This reference level is the level for long term exposure to radon in a house above which the need for radon remediation works should be considered.

The RPII, through press releases, radio and television interviews and through its own published reports on radon, has been promoting public awareness of radon and highlighting the risks associated with exposure to radon. The RPII has long been encouraging householders, particularly those in high radon areas, to have their homes tested for radon and to undertake radon remediation works where necessary.

The RPII has undertaken several other initiatives to further heighten public awareness of the radon issue. In November 2004, the RPII hosted the third national radon forum in Dublin to raise awareness of radon as a health risk. That same month, the RPII published a booklet entitled "Understanding Radon- A Householder's Guide". That guide is directed at householders who have been informed that they have radon concentration levels above the national reference level in their homes. The aim of the guide is to assist such householders in interpreting their radon measurement results and in deciding how to deal with the problem. The RPII also recently distributed an information poster on radon for display in libraries, medical centres, etc., advising people to have their homes checked for radon. The RPII has also begun a new radon awareness campaign which will involve a series of nationwide public information seminars on the dangers of radon and which will be targeted at selected high radon areas. As part of this campaign the RPII have organised road shows to further heighten awareness in relation to radon, particularly in areas with high radon levels.

Epidemiological studies have shown that naturally occurring radon gas concentrations add to the incidence of lung cancer. While there is evidence to suggest that long-term exposure to high levels of radon can be a contributory factor in increasing the risk of lung cancer and that the incidence is higher among smokers than non-smokers, it is not possible to ascribe any one cancer death solely to radon. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland estimates that approximately 10% to 15% of all lung cancer deaths in Ireland, equivalent to 150 to 200 deaths, are linked to radon gas exposure and that the incidence is higher among smokers than non-smokers.

The RPII has consistently advised on the health risks of exposure to radon gas and has actively encouraged those householders residing in high radon areas to use radon measuring kits which can be obtained for approximately €40 to establish radon levels in their homes.