Vol. 528 No. 2
216 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received a report from the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland regarding radon in schools; the schools affected; and the level of radon in each of the schools. [29882/00]
My Department commissioned the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, 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 one of the survey were released to the participating schools in January this year. In November this year, the results of phase two of the survey were released to schools in the counties participating in that phase. Phase three of the survey is under way at present and the result are expected next year.
In May this year the "Radiological Protection Act, 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Order, 2000" (Statutory Instrument No. 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 levels are in excess of this, an employer must evaluate whether remedial measures should be undertaken and, if so, such measures should be undertaken as soon as is practicable.
Remedial measures are complete in 13 of the worst affected schools that participated in phase I of the survey. Arrangements are in hand to have remedial work carried out in another 20 schools with maximum radon levels in a range between 404 bqMf7>3 and 573 bqMf7>3 and it is expected that this work will be completed by January 2001. The RPII has indicated that 23 schools should be given priority when arranging mitigation measures for the schools in phase two with a maximum radon level in excess of 200 bqMf7>3. These schools will be visited by an expert in radon mitigation in January 2001 with a view to having specifications for radon mitigation systems for these schools produced. As soon as the specifications are available arrangements will be made to install the systems.
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 in January 2001 and 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.
