Written answers

Thursday, 2 June 2022

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Radon Gas Levels

Photo of Jennifer WhitmoreJennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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291. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of offices operated by her Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for radon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28582/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Using the new radon map for workplaces issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the last 2 weeks, my Department has identified 50 offices as being located in high radon areas.

In high radon areas, the EPA predicts that 10% or more of homes and other premises will exceed the national reference level for radon, 200 Becquerels per cubic metre.

Prior to the publication of the most recent radon map, which is significantly more precise than previous versions, my Department carried out radon measurement exercises in 14 offices, with a further three in progress.  Only one of those14 offices had readings that exceeded the national reference level and in that case remedial works were carried out successfully.  The offices monitored were selected using previous radon maps, five of which are are in a high radon area based on the current radon map. 

Based on the current radon map my Department will instigate monitoring in all remaining offices identified as being in high radon areas and arrange with the OPW for any necessary remediation works.

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