Vol. 526 No. 2
127 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education and Science if any schools in County Louth were included in the recent survey on radon gas levels; the results of any such survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26098/00]
My Department commissioned the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, to conduct a survey of radon levels in schools in 1998. All schools recognised by my Department were invited to participate. The survey is being conducted in three phases. The results of phase one of the survey were released to the participating schools in January this year. County Louth was among the nine counties included in phase one. Last week, the results of phase two of the survey were released to schools in the counties participating in that phase.
The Radiological Protection Act, 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Order, 2000 (Statutory Instrument 125 of 2000) gave effect to the most recent revision of the EURATOM Basic Safety Standards Directive, Council Directive 96/29/EURATOM. This sets a national reference level for radon in workplaces of 400 bqMf7>3 over any three month period. If radon exceeds this level an employer is obliged under this instrument to evaluate whether remedial measures should be undertaken and, if so, such measures should be undertaken as soon as is practicable.
Four schools in County Louth had one or more rooms with maximum radon levels above 500bqMf7>3. Remedial measures have been completed in two of these schools and arrangements are in hand at present to undertake remedial measures in the other two schools. A further nine schools in County Louth had one or more rooms with maximum radon levels in one or more rooms of between 204bqMf7>3 and 438bqMf7>3. A pilot study of the natural ventilation in ten schools within this range is under way at present. The purpose of the study is to establish whether passive ventilation systems can be used to mitigate radon levels in this range, as opposed to the mechanical systems that have been or are in the process of being installed in the schools with higher levels. The results of the study are expected in January 2001 and these will allow my Department to plan a mitigation programme for the schools with maximum radon levels in excess of 200bqMf7>3 but which are not among the most severely affected schools.
Meanwhile, schools have been advised on the simple steps to be taken to reduce radon levels in classrooms.
