Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 508: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he is taking to provide information on radon levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4495/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in variable amounts in rocks and soil. When it surfaces in the open air, it is quickly diluted. However, where it enters an enclosed space, such as an ordinary building, it can, under certain circumstances accumulate to reach unacceptably high concentration levels. Radon is a known carcinogen and contributes to the incidence of lung cancer. This risk is especially significant for smokers. Long term exposure to high radon levels presents a direct risk to human health.

The Government's approach to radon is to concentrate efforts on increasing public awareness of the risks posed by radon in the home. This is similar to the approach adopted in the majority of EU member states. The Government, largely through the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), has committed significant resources to assessing the extent of the radon problem throughout the country and to increasing public awareness of the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to high radon concentrations.

Householders, particularly those in known high radon areas, have been strongly encouraged by the RPII to have their homes tested for radon and to undertake remediation works where necessary. The RPII has carried out targeted information campaigns in high radon areas and in some instances, where particularly high radon levels have been found, has written directly to householders in these areas. Since the completion of the National Radon Survey in 1999, the RPII has completed radon measurements in an additional 22,000 homes.

My Department will continue to work closely with the RPII, local authorities and other interested agencies to raise public awareness and to promote testing and remediation works. In particular, the RPII is working directly with the HSE (on radon in homes) and the HSA (on radon in workplaces) and over the next few months a programme will be rolled out which will be aimed specifically at encouraging local authorities to measure radon in social housing and in the workplaces for which they are responsible. This multi-agency approach to dealing with radon is in line with international best practice, as recommended by the World Health Organisation's International Radon Project, which is co-funded by the Irish Government.