Eighty-three homes in Mayo have been found to have high levels of cancer-causing radon gas in the past nine months, with 14 of these homes presenting with radon levels more than four times the acceptable level.
These shocking figures were released on Thursday by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII ). Between the beginning of September 2010 and June 1 2011, the RPII measured radon levels in 383 Mayo homes. Out of these houses, 83 were above the acceptable level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3 ). Fourteen homes had more than four times the acceptable level with readings in excess of 800 Bq/m3 and were found in: Ballinrobe (one ), Castlebar (one ), Claremorris (10 ), Swinford (one ), and Westport (one ).
The remaining 69 results had readings of between 200 and 800 Bq/m3. Seventeen were found in Ballina; two in Ballinrobe; one in Ballyhaunis; 10 in Castlebar; 22 in Claremorris; one in Cong; one in Crossmolina; two in Foxford; one in Knock; three in Shrule; seven in Swinford; and two in Westport.
“These figures show that Mayo has a significant radon problem,” said David Fenton, senior scientist at the RPII. “Based on the National Radon Survey, we predict that there are hundreds more homes across the county with high levels of radon gas. 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.”
Nationally, radon is the second biggest cause of lung cancer after smoking and is directly linked to about 200 lung cancer deaths each year.
Across the country more than 800 homes have been identified as having high levels of radon in the last nine months — among the findings is a home in north Kerry with levels 185 times the acceptable level, which is among the highest ever found in a European house.
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 can be sent and returned by post for analysis. The RPII and a number of private companies provide a radon measurement service, with the cost of a measurement being around €50.
If a moderate radon level is found, improving indoor ventilation may reduce the level by up to half. For higher levels, a fan assisted sump can be installed
An interactive map is available on the RPII’s website (www.rpii.ie ) so that viewers can search for their address or nearest town to see whether their home or workplace is in a high radon area.
