Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:9 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the high levels of radon in the north Kerry area; and his views on whether this could be the reason for such a high level of cancer in the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Radon Gas Levels.
Edward Nealon
Ceist:41 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an assessment in 1992 of 63 primary schools in County Sligo by the Radiological Institute of Ireland indicated that over half these schools had radon levels above the reference of 150 becquerels per cubic metre while in other areas where similar assessments were carried out only one twentieth of the schools were above the reference level; that in a population-weighted survey of houses in County Sligo organised by the Physics Department of UCG, the average radon levels recorded were twice the national average with one house recording 1,342 becquerels per cubic metre of air as compared with a reference level of 200 above which the need for remedial action should be considered; that, in all, 16 per cent of the 25 houses where measurements were taken in County Sligo were above the 200 reference level; and, if in view of all of these findings on the limited surveys to date, clearly indicating very significant radon levels right throughout County Sligo with the danger to health implicit in this and with obvious need for remedial action to be taken in houses as is now being undertaken in the schools surveyed, he will consider some special scheme or initiative which would lead to a general scheme of measurements for radon being undertaken and promoted for the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 9 and 41 together.
A survey carried out in north Kerry by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland in 1990 showed that the area is not a potential high risk one for radon. That will be a great relief to the Deputy. The average radon level found there was well below the national recorded average.
I am informed by the Southern Health Board that the levels of cancer in Kerry are lower than in the rest of the Southern Health Board area.
In County Sligo the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland is undertaking radon measurements in 260 houses as part of a national geographical survey on radon.
The national survey involves radon measurements being made in over 6,000 homes nationwide. The data produced by the survey will help identify areas at greatest risk from high radon levels and assist in deciding what preventive measures, if any, need to be undertaken.
Is the Minister aware of a survey undertaken by Dr. Jim McLoughlin of UCD between 1985 and 1989 which showed that the average radon reading for North Kerry was 68 becquerels per cubic metre of air, nearly twice the average for other parts of the country?
Is he aware that in one townland the reading was 522 becquerels? Surely that gives rise to concern. There has been a significant increase in the number of cancer patients in Kerry in recent years. Is he aware of the connection between radon poisoning and lung cancer?
The last north Kerry survey carried out in 1990 involved 90 houses and the average radon value was 31 becquerels per square metre compared with the national average of 60 becquerels per square metre. As regards cancer, the statistics are supplied by the southern tumour registry based in Cork and indicate lower levels of cancer in Kerry than the average for the southern health board region.
Have people been informed on how to prevent radon gas seeping into their homes or has the Department any policy on the matter? This information is readily available in England where grants are payable for this purpose.
That matter might be more appropriate to the Minister for the Environment. I would be concerned if there were inordinate levels of radon gas anywhere. It is a natural gas and certain areas are known to be affected. We must include in the building regulations such precautions as will minimise the seepage of the gas into the homes, schools or other places where people congregate. A national survey is underway and when the findings are available it is proposed to look at and isolate regions which have an above average level for further action.
Is the monitoring programme sufficiently co-ordinated with other agencies to identify a possible link to cancer? Have the findings been cross-referenced?
The survey is ongoing and we cannot draw conclusions until it has concluded. I will keep a watching brief for my Department. The Ministers for the Environment and Education requested the institute to carry out a survey of schools in County Sligo and they will watch the results. When we determine the national pattern we will be able to see where there are abnormal levels of radon gas. Either a further detailed analysis will be required or a policy of action will have to be identified.
Is the Minister satisfied that the national survey is assessing a large enough sample to be accurate? The figure of 90 houses seems very small. We are concerned about the extent of radon gas in Wicklow and of cancer in south and south west Wicklow. Does the Minister have a breakdown within counties of clusters of cancer? If you take a county, the level could be perfectly acceptable but within that there could be clusters that might cause concern.
In relation to the scale of the survey I yield to the wisdom of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, the responsible statutory body. It decided that a survey of 6,000 homes nationally would give it the data it requires. It expects to complete its findings in 1995. It is the expert body and who am I to disagree with it?
I have given consideration to the question of cancer clusters. I was happy this year to inaugurate the national cancer registry in Cork which, for the first time, will give us information on the occurrence of cancer on a national basis. Although the data will need to be built on over the years before we have a discernible pattern, in future we will have a mechanism through which to identify such clusters and take appropriate action.
Last year I put down a question about the incidence of cancer in County Waterford. The figures I received were well above the national average. My question today, No. 62, refers to Dungarvan-Abbeyside and I suspect that the incidence in that town may be considerably higher than the national average and the trend in County Waterford. Will the Minister ask the agency involved to investigate the incidence of cancer in that area?
The questions before us deal with north Kerry and Sligo. The Wicklow and Waterford areas have now been raised.
Question No. 62 was not linked to these because the others referred to the prevalence of radon gas while the Deputy's relates to cancer. I am not sure if the data, in an isolated case, could identify a cluster. I am informed that several year's analyses will be needed before reaching a conclusion. I will pass on the Deputy's comments to the registry.
From my experience I suspect there is an above average incidence of the disease and it is probably related to the presence of radon gas. I do not ask the question lightly because it is disturbing for the public to feel that the incidence of cancer might be higher than the national average.
It is extremely difficult for any agency to identify the causes of cancer as it can be caused by a variety of environmental factors. Much thought has been given to assessing the damage from Sellafield. It is difficult to get conclusive proof that any cancer or damage is caused exclusively by one factor and it would be difficult to establish the cause of a group of cancers. The establishment this year of the national cancer registry will give us a national pattern. We can examine a number of other factors such as wind conditions, the prevalence of winds and so on. I will pass on the Deputy's comments to see if further action can be taken.