Written answers

Thursday, 4 May 2006

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Radon Gas

5:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the location showing highest levels of radon gas in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16723/06]

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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To date, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) has carried out 776,838 radon measurements in homes in County Kildare. Of these, 4,144 were found to be above the National Reference Level of 200 Becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3), with the highest level being 1,114 Bq/m3 in a house in Naas.

As part of a nationwide survey of schools carried out at the request of the Department of Education and Science and which commenced in 1998, the RPII measured radon levels in 126 schools in the County. Of these, 24 schools had radon levels above the Reference Level of 200 Bq/m3 in at least one room, including 2 schools in Kilcock which had radon levels in excess of 1000 Bq/m3 in at least one room. The Department of Education and Science has provided funding for remedial measures in all of the schools with radon levels above the Reference Level.

RPII has also carried out radon measurement in 12 workplaces in Kildare. None of these workplaces was found to have radon levels above the Reference Level of 400 Bq/m3 for workplaces. I should mention that as the RPII are not the only organisation carrying out a radon measurement service, the actual number of workplaces that have been measured may be greater.

The Government has over the years, largely through the RPII, committed significant resources to assessing the extent of the radon problem throughout the country. For many years now, the RPII has been encouraging householders, particularly those in high radon areas, to have their homes tested for radon and to undertake radon remediation works where necessary. Government efforts and resources, together with the RPII, will continue to focus on highlighting public awareness of radon and on improving information to householders so as to enable and encourage them to address monitoring or remedial requirements effectively and economically.

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