20% of Galway homes in Radon danger

Date Published: 17-Jul-2009

ONE fifth of homes surveyed in Galway showed dangerous levels of the cancer-causing gas radon, making it the third worst county in Ireland. One house alone in Galway gave a reading 17-times higher than the recommended safe level.

Between 1992 and 1999 the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) carried out a comprehensive National Radon Survey to measure radon concentrations in Irish homes. The principal objective was to identify the scale of the radon problem in Ireland and to identify areas at higher risk of radon contamination above the national reference level of 200 becquerels per metre cubed (Bq/m3).

The survey of 4,530 homes in Galway found 20% or 908 homes were above the safe level. Just over 2% had extremely high levels, above 800Bq/m3. The highest reading recorded was 3,434.

The highest reading…