Radon gas is a matter of increasing concern to the people and this concern has been heightened by information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act and published in national newspapers on 19 February. Thirteen of the schools surveyed have radon gas levels so high that immediate remedial action is required. The former Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Martin, disclosed in January that some schools have radon levels above the 200 becquerels per cubic metre safety limit or reference level, as it is known technically. It took a request under the Freedom of Information Act to find out that the number of schools was in double figures and that in some of these the radon gas levels are alarmingly high. It is alarming to learn that levels are as high as 2,688 becquerels in St. Mogue's College, Bawnboy, County Cavan. A number of other schools have levels of well more than 1,000 becquerels. These figures are many times the reference level above which there is a need for remedial action. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland informs us that lifetime exposure to radon gas at the reference level carries a one in 50 risk of contracting fatal lung cancer. This is twice the risk of death by road accident. Exposure to the levels revealed in the 13 schools carries a far higher risk. Pupils and staff in high radon schools are daily exposed to life threatening levels of radiation. It is absolutely essential that the Minister moves swiftly to eliminate this risk in our schools.
Since 1998 surveys have been conducted in schools throughout the State by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland but the testing scheme is totally unsatisfactory. Schools have been invited to participate and if they do not take up the invitation they are not tested. Pupils and staff are thus left with possibly very high levels of radon gas undetected in the buildings where they spend most of the day. According to the 1998 annual report of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland 20% of schools in counties Carlow, Cavan, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow did not participate in the survey in that year. In actual terms that translates into almost 200 schools declining the opportunity to be screened for radon risk in that year.
That was the first phase of the school survey. What is the participation level in the current phase? Given the very high level of radon discovered in 13 of the schools surveyed so far it is surely necessary to expand the scheme to cover all schools. The Minister should make the survey State wide and ensure every single school is included. I understand this is a simple, straightforward and inexpensive test to perform but whatever the cost it is surely necessary to assess and eliminate the risk to the health of the children and staff in our schools and to those in other workplaces.
The documents published under the Freedom of Information Act also show that an assistant principal in the Department of Education and Science urged it to address all 13 schools immediately. Has this been done and how quickly and in what manner has the Department responded? Is it the case that school boards of management must bear the cost of taking remedial action to eliminate the risk? In some cases this would entail very significant reconstruction costs, especially in old school buildings. I urge the Minister to introduce a scheme whereby those schools found to have radon gas over the reference level would be granted the cost of rectifying the problem.
Clearly there is a need for a widespread public information campaign on the risks of radon gas. I urge the Minister and his colleagues in other relevant Departments to initiate such a campaign and to provide the necessary resources for the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland to inform the public, conduct the surveys and ensure remedial action is taken quickly.
