Vol. 453 No. 8
55 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to make regulations which will ensure that insulation in dwellinghouses and other buildings is improved to comply with EU standards as a safeguard against radon gases and radium, which is a serious cause of lung cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [88206/95]
Building regulations require precautions against the entry of radon to be taken in areas where elevated levels of the gas are likely to occur. The regulations apply to the design and construction of new buildings. Remedial action to deal with elevated levels of radon in existing buildings is a matter primarily for the property owners concerned.
The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, a body under the aegis of the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, is responsible for radon detection and measurement and provides advice on such matters. The construction research section of my Department has published an advisory booklet regarding remedial action in existing buildings.
