Written Answers. - Radon Gas Levels.
Jim Higgins
Question:
39
Mr. Higgins (Mayo)
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
the primary schools where the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland has established that radon levels are above the recommended safety level; and if he will make a statement on the matter
[27726/00]
My Department commissioned the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland 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 I of the survey were released to the participating schools in January 2000. In November last year, the results of phase II of the survey were released to schools in the counties participating in that phase. Phase III of the survey is under way at present and the results are expected late this year.
In May last year 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 must evaluate whether remedial measures should be undertaken and, if so, such measures should be undertaken as soon as is practicable.
Mitigation measures are complete in thirteen of the worst affected schools that participated in phase I of the survey and preliminary post mitigation testing indicates that the measures taken have been effective. Contracts have been placed to carry out remedial work in a further 20 schools from phase I. Work is under way in most of these schools and it is expected that all of the systems will be installed by the end of the Easter break.
The RPII advised that 23 of the worst affected schools that participated in phase II should be given priority when mitigation arrangements were being made. An expert in radon mitigation from Cornwall County Council visited ten of these schools last month and will visit the remaining schools when he returns to Ireland in March and May. He will provide specifications for mitigation for all 23 schools in time to have them installed by the summer of this year at the very latest. Arrangements will also be made to have remedial work carried out in another 51 schools with maximum radon levels in one or more rooms in a range between 404 bqMf7>3 and 656 bqMf7>3. It is hoped that more local expertise can be found to specify the remedial measures necessary in these schools.
My Department had previously set a reference level of 200 bqMf7>3 above which remedial measures to mitigate radon levels would be undertaken. This reference level is the same as that above which the Government, in 1990, advised that mitigation measures should be considered in domestic dwellings.
A pilot study of the natural ventilation in ten schools with maximum radon levels of between 200 bqMf7>3 and 400 bqMf7>3 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 very shortly. These will allow my Department to plan a mitigation programme for the schools with maximum radon levels in excess of 200 bqMf7>3 but not exceeding 400 bqMf7>3. Meanwhile, my Department is advising schools that increasing the natural ventilation in affected rooms, where this can be achieved without discomfort to the users of those rooms, may be effective in reducing the level of radon.
