Vol. 482 No. 6
167 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the high levels of radon gas found in certain caves which are frequented by the public and which gives rise to dangerous levels of exposure to the gas to persons who work in these caves as guides and so on. [19037/97]
I am aware that high levels of radon gas have been found in certain cave environments. Due to the subterranean origin of radon, underground locations are particularly susceptible to high radon levels. Because of the possibility that persons working as guides in such caves could incur relatively high radiation doses, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland have in recent years conducted a programme of monitoring in caves.
The results of this programme indicate that a number of guides may be receiving high radiation doses and the institute have written to a number of cave owners advising them to introduce a programme of monitoring workers. In addition, the institute have suggested that owners take all measures possible to reduce the exposure to workers. These measures include increasing ventilation and limiting the time spent by guides in the caves.
When assessing the risk owing to exposure to radon, it is important to stress that both the radon concentration and the duration of the exposure must be taken into account. For members of the public making a single visit to a show cave, therefore, the radiation dose likely to be incurred is small.
