High radon levels in Galway homes

A GALWAY home was found to have radon levels of more than 18 times the acceptable level when it was tested last year, according to figures released this week by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII).
Nearly one-quarter of the 200 Galway homes tested for radon in the past six months were found to have high levels of the cancer-causing gas. Forty-six homes in Galway were found to have high levels of radon, with seven homes reading more than four times the acceptable level.
Over 300 homes from across the country were identified by the RPII as having high levels of radon in the last seven months. Nationally, radon is the second biggest cause of lung cancer after smoking and is directly linked to up to 200 lung cancer deaths each year.
In Galway, 200 tests for radon gas were completed in homes between June 1 and December 31 last year. Of these, 46 were above the acceptable level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3).
A home in the Castlegar area of Galway, as reported by the RPII last October, had levels more than 18 times the acceptable level. Six homes had more than four times the acceptable level, with readings in excess of 800Bq/m3, and were found in Claregalway (three), Oughterard (two) and Castlegar (one). The remaining 39 homes had readings above and up to four times the acceptable level and were found throughout the county, with one each in Athenry, Ballyburke, Inverin, Mervue, Monivea, Clarinbridge, Corrandulla, Renmore and Rosscahill and two in Gort, Headford, Oranmore, Taylors Hill, Castlegar and Turloughmore. Three homes in Claregalway and Salthill, four in Galway City and eight in Tuam all had levels above the accepted levels.
Commenting on the findings, David Fenton, senior scientist at the RPII, said, “These figures show that Galway has a significant radon problem. Our research indicates there are hundreds more homes across the county with high levels of radon gas. To date, only a very small proportion of these homes have been identified. Exposure to high radon levels causes lung cancer and many people are unknowingly living with very high levels in their homes. The only way people will know if it is in their homes is by testing.”
Measuring for radon and, in the event of a high reading, reducing the levels present are both easy to do. To test for radon, one radon detector is placed in a bedroom and a second in a living room for a three-month period. The detectors are sent and returned by post for analysis. The RPII and a number of private companies provide a radon measurement service. The cost of a measurement is around €50.
If a moderate radon level is found, improving indoor ventilation may reduce the level by up to half, the cost of which is low. For higher levels, a fan-assisted sump can be installed, which can reduce radon levels by over 90%. The sump can be installed in a day by a contractor with little disruption to the home. The typical cost of this work is €1,100, with annual running costs of approximately €90.
An interactive map is available on the RPII’s website (www.rpii.ie) so members of the public can search for their address or nearest town to see whether their home or workplace is in a high radon area.
Information about radon – what it is, why it is a problem and how a measurement can be made – is available online or by calling Freefone 1800 300600.