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Radon Gas Levels.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2004

Thursday, 9 December 2004

Questions (34, 35, 36, 37)

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

25 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the high levels of radon gas recorded in existing homes, he will provide some direct grant to building owners where high levels of the gas have been recorded so they can be supported financially in their attempts to reduce the threat to their health. [32797/04]

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Emmet Stagg

Question:

51 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the recent annual report of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland for 2003 which states that between 150 and 200 people are dying every year from lung cancer arising from exposure to radon gas; the steps he intends to take to deal with the death toll being caused by radon gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32693/04]

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Emmet Stagg

Question:

93 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the continuing death toll attributed to radon gas, he intends to provide funding for a scheme to assist those living in pre-1997 houses to take remedial action to provide adequate protection for their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32694/04]

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Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

248 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the most recent information he has on the threat from radon gas; if action is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32917/04]

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Written answers

I propose take Questions Nos. 25, 51, 93 and 248 together.

As previously indicated, it is not proposed to provide Exchequer funding for a radon remediation grant scheme in respect of domestic dwellings. While some houses have high radon concentration levels, the great majority, over 90%, of houses nationwide would have radon concentrations below the national reference level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre.

The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, has always advised householders, particularly those living in high radon areas, to have their homes measured for radon and, where necessary, has also advised householders to have remediation works carried out. Over the years, the Government, through the RPII, has committed significant resources to assessing the extent of the radon problem throughout the country and to increasing public awareness of radon. During the years 1992 to 1999, the RPII carried out a national survey of radon in domestic dwellings aimed at assessing the extent of the radon problem in homes. The survey involved the measurement by the RPII of radon for a twelve month period in a random selection of homes in each 10 km x 10 km grid square throughout the country. The RPII's website, www.rpii.ie, contains a comprehensive map of the high radon areas in Ireland as well as the report of its national survey of radon in homes.

Upgraded building regulations, introduced in June 1997, require all new houses which commenced construction on or after 1 July 1998 to incorporate radon protection measures. My Department has recently published an updated edition of Technical Guidance Document C, TGD-D, on Part C of the building regulations, site preparation and resistance to moisture, incorporating enhanced radon prevention measures for new buildings commencing on or after 1 April 2005. This new guidance document is aimed at ensuring that the 1997 radon protection measures are carried out more effectively. With regard to pre-1997 houses, my Department published a booklet in February 2002, entitled "Radon in Existing Buildings — Corrective Options", advising designers, builders and home owners on remediation options for reducing radon in existing houses to, or below, the national reference level.

Epidemiology studies have shown that naturally occurring radon gas concentrations add to the incidence of lung cancer. While this evidence is derived primarily from studies of miners exposed to radon gas at work, it is supported by the outcome of a number of studies of radon exposure in the home. It has been established that approximately 10% to 15% of all lung cancer deaths in Ireland are linked to radon gas exposure and that the incidence is higher in smokers than non-smokers. It is important, however, to emphasise that it is not possible to ascribe any individual lung cancer case to exposure to radon.

In recent months, the RPII has undertaken several initiatives to further heighten awareness of the radon issue in Ireland. In November 2004, the RPII hosted the third national radon forum in Dublin to raise awareness of radon as a health risk. Earlier this year the RPII published a revised version of its booklet "Radon in Homes". The RPII also plans to distribute an information poster on radon for display in libraries, medical centres and so forth advising people to have their homes checked for radon.

Both the RPII and my Department will continue to use all appropriate opportunities to raise public awareness of radon and to encourage householders with radon concentrations above the national reference level to undertake remediation works.

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