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NEW MAPS PUBLISHED by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have shown that the number of homes in Ireland thought to be at risk from radon gas has increased by over a third.
Around 170,000 homes in Ireland are believed to be at risk of radon exposure above the national reference level, an increase of 45,000 homes from the previous estimate in 2002.
Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas that originates from the decay of uranium in rocks and soils. It is invisible, colourless and odourless and can only be measured using specialised equipment.
The gas is linked to around 350 new cases of lung cancer in Ireland every year, making it the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
Read more here on how to support a major Noteworthy project to investigate if the State is doing enough to protect families from the cancer-causing dangerous gas, radon.
The map show that large parts of the country, particularly in Munster and Connacht, have been found to be at increased risk from radon.
The maps are based on work carried out by Trinity College Dublin, Geological Survey of Ireland and the Economic and Social Research Institute alongside the EPA.
They are available to view on the EPA’s website and are searchable by Eircode and by address.
The agency is urging all householders and businesses, especially those in high radon areas, to test for the gas.
A high radon area is any area where it is predicted that 10% or more of homes will exceed the reference level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3).
On average, Ireland has twice the indoor levels of radon gas (77 Bq/m3) when compared to the European average (39 Bq/m3).
EPA Director Michéal Lehane has described radon as a “serious public health hazard”.
“The new maps combine thousands of radon measurements, with detailed geological information, and are a significant revision of the previous map from 2002,” he said.
He said the new maps make it easy for everyone to find out the radon risk in their local area using the eircode search on the EPA website.
“We urge people to test for radon as this is the only way of protecting you and your family from this cancer-causing gas.”
Workplaces
The EPA has said that employers also have a responsibility to ensure that their employees are protected from exposure to radon in their places of work.
According to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, employers must identify hazards in their workplace, which includes radon, and assess, eliminate or reduce and control the risk.
Yvonne Mullooly, Assistant Chief Executive of the HSA, said that employers in high radon areas are obliged to test their workplaces for radon.
“The new maps enable them to clearly identify where they are legally obliged to test, so allows for targeting of resources in the areas where the risk from radon is highest,” she said.
In a statement to The Journal, a spokesperson for the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications said it encourages “all householders and businesses, especially those in high-radon areas, to test for radon”.
“Testing for radon is simple and fixing a radon problem will reduce the risk to your health from this radioactive gas,” the statement said.
“A report by the National Radon Control Strategy group, which is led by the Department, will shortly be presented to Government. The report lists a range of actions to be undertaken by the group, some of which have been completed and others which are scheduled for completion within the next 2 years.
“These actions will include working with relevant agencies to ensure that conveyancing legislation includes a requirement that radon testing, and where necessary remediation, is compulsory when selling a home in a high radon area and introducing financial supports for the public, who identify high levels of radon in their home,” the statement added.
The EPA provides a list of registered radon measurement services and publishes a list of registered contractors who offer a radon remediation service if high levels are found.
The EPA radon team are also available to answer queries at radon@epa.ie or 1800 300 600.
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R.I.P. but a worker with no flotation device, near water? Someone has to answer for this.
@Paul Culligan: Yes RIP, indeed. Why so quick to blame someone before the HSA or Gardai have established any facts? Your reaction typifies our collective attitude as a nation.
@Paul Culligan: if the poor man fell between a vessell and the pier wall most likely his flotation device inhibited his ability to move freely in a confined space. Either way makes no difference now. RIP and condolences to his family.
@Paul Culligan: yes his employer should have told him the dangers of water. But this is ireland so the Hsa is going to have an inquest no doubt. I hate accidents R.I.P.
@Paul Culligan: where does it say he wasn’t wearing a flotation device. He could have banged his head, suffered trauma to the body, with this weather and that early the water would have been freezing, etc. Wearing a flotation device doesn’t guarantee your survival if you find yourself in water.
@Ciarán McPhillips: couldn’t agree more
@Ciarán McPhillips: I’ll get back to you on that one.
Surprised they took him to the mater. I would have thought the port would have to have some sort of medical facility on site.
@The Dublinist: Major hospital 5 minutes away or a docks medical centre. Which would you prefer?
@Heffos Army: Considering the wait and staffing issues in the hospitals at the moment a dockside medical center probably wouldn’t look too bad…
@Jason: is being stupid something you practice Jason?
A tragic case which brings back bad memories of a similar accident while working in the construction if the linkspans (roll on, roll off) about ten years ago. It is often the case that people dont follow safety procedures resulting in harm. Tragic either way
@ChuckE: We have no idea what happened here. Can we please wait before we pass or suggest any cause. Accidents happen. The circumstances described here are not unusual. Water can be a very unforgiving environment. Deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones.
RIP.
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