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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 18 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 4

Adjournment Debate. - Radon Gas in Schools.

Following a survey of schools in County Sligo, high levels of radon gas have been found in the west. As a result, the Department of Education and Science offered free radon testing to schools in the county. However, this was at the discretion of school principals and, unfortunately, not all schools were tested.

The parents' committee became concerned about this matter when they discovered that remedial work had not been carried out in the schools. They found it difficult to gather information on what was happening and how their children might be affected. This was how the idea of a survey came about.

Following testing, the Department of Education and Science recommended that remedial work should be carried out in all schools with radon levels above 150 becquerels per cubic metre. This work was carried out in 25 schools. The work involved the laying of pipes under the floors of rooms carrying high levels of radon. These pipes were connected to pumps fitted on an external wall. The pumps extract the gas from under the building where it gathers. In schools where remedial work was recommended, the Department contracted companies to carry out the work. The Department funded 85 per cent of the work and the balance was funded by the schools. The survey uncovered some interesting facts.

What has happened since the remedial work began in the schools in 1993-4? The Department recommended that remedial work be carried out in all cases where radon levels were above the set limit of 150 becquerels per cubic metre. No detailed specifications were supplied to the boards of management, teachers or parents regarding the detection equipment. What is now recommended is that the Department should ensure that this vital information is made available to schools since the health of children and teachers should be of primary concern.

The second finding was that no maintenance was carried out on the radon extraction equipment supplied. The survey also showed that schools were unaware if the pumps were working. It is recommended that a planned programme of maintenance checks carried out by suitably qualified personnel must be put in place by the Department of Education and Science as a matter of urgency.

Some schools are switching off the extraction pumps during holidays and the research indicates that a build up of radon is virtually guaranteed within the classrooms when the pumps are switched off. It is recommended that the Department should issue an immediate instruction to all schools not to switch off the radon extraction pumps and that it should consider aiding the running costs of the pumps.

The survey also discovered that information on radon in schools was difficult to obtain — it is not held in any one location. The Department of Education and Science, the Office of Public Works and the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland had all to be contacted. It is recommended that the Department should co-ordinate information from the different areas. This could keep all those involved in education fully informed on the up-to-date research. There should be an internet site with this information. Such a site would provide information to the public while allowing teachers to use the internet to educate children about radon and its effects.

The highest level of radon found in any school was 1,363 bqms — ten times above the agreed level. The lowest level was 26 bqms. The Department recommends remedial work in 25 schools. One school with the highest level of radon had no remedial work carried out to date. The bulk of remedial work was carried out during 1993-94 and the average cost was £600 per classroom. In addition, a number of schools turned the pumps off during the school holidays, which is of major concern.

Fifty per cent of all schools that had bad remedial work carried out have had no further testing done to ascertain if the work was successful and the radon concentrates reduced to safe levels. Very few principals could tell the level of radon in their schools. More than two thirds were unable to give the results of the radon testing. Three schools found that their pumps were not working and had to be replaced. This is a serious issue and the Minister should give the necessary instructions. I appreciate the huge contribution of the Department to the installation of the pumps. It is important that there is ongoing supervision of maintenance, that information is made available and that the teacher concerned is fully aware of how to access the information to assure parents that the level of radon in County Sligo schools is safe.

A survey was carried out in 25 schools in County Sligo. I appeal to the Minister to carry out a complete check of all schools in the county.

I thank the Deputy for raising this grave issue which is of concern to me. I was particularly concerned when I received the results of the survey and I thank the Sligo committee of the National Parents Council, Primary, for its initiative in carrying out the survey regarding radon gas levels in local national schools. By doing so the council has provided an important service to the community. The morning after the publication of the results I was in touch with the chairperson of the committee to go through it in detail and I received a copy of the report that morning.

The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, has been conducting a national survey of domestic radon concentrations since 1989. It has conducted selected surveys in a number of counties, including Sligo. The first report of the national survey was published in October 1996 and covered Counties Cavan, Dublin, Louth, Monaghan and Wicklow. It is anticipated that by the summer of 1999 reports will be available on every county.

My Department relies on the published results of the national radon survey of the Radiological Protection Institute in identifying high risk radon areas. If a new school is being built in these areas, radon remediation measures are included in the plans even though the building regulations concerning radon gas do not strictly apply to schools — they only apply to domestic dwellings and long stay residential buildings. However, for the sake of the well-being of pupils and staff, my Department applies the remediation measures to new schools in these areas.

Radon first became an issue for schools after the RPII conducted its first radon studies in western Ireland in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Following tests in 1992 radon remediation work was recommended in 25 primary schools and ten secondary schools in County Sligo. This work was undertaken in 1994. After works were executed, the post-remediation radon level was monitored to ensure that the work was done properly. To ensure the equipment is working properly, post-remediation radon levels would require to be measured regularly and equipment replaced and repaired as necessary. Regarding equipment installed some years ago in certain schools in County Sligo, I am concerned by reports that it was not being maintained or not being used correctly. I have asked my officials to contact the schools to which radon testing and remediation equipment was provided with a view to developing a planned programme of information and maintenance for the equipment.

My Department will contact the Radiological Protection Institute to identify regions with high radon levels. Arrangements will be made for surveys to be carried out to determine the radon concentration levels in schools in these areas. I have discussed this arrangement with the chief executive of the Radiological Protection Institute. I have asked the Department to consult the RPII and the Department of the Environment and Local Government on the preparation of an information leaflet on radon gas which will be sent to all schools. This will outline preliminary measures schools should take in dealing with radon gas.

We will send information to all schools reiterating that under no circumstances should pumps be switched off during holiday breaks or at weekends. There can be a very significant build up of gas when pumps are turned off.

I will take on board the Deputy's suggestion regarding the utilisation of our Department's website for the dissemination of information on radon. Boards of management also have some responsibility and there should be more regular contact between them and the Department on this issue. There seems to have been a breakdown in communication between all concerned parties in terms of the operation of the pumps and their ongoing regular monitoring and testing. We will now take a proactive stance on this matter to ensure that, in collaboration with boards of management, our planned maintenance and information programmes are put in place.

The Dáil adjourned at 9.5 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 19 February 1998.

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