Connacht Tribune
East Galway a hotspot for dangerous radon gas
A new air survey has confirmed that East Galway is a hotspot for the potentially dangerous radon gas.
The Tellus Programme, which carries geographical surveys from a low-flying plane, has confirmed that East Galway is covered in fractured limestone, whereas west Galway is characterised by granite rock.
James Hodgson, Geogeophysics Programme Manager of Tellus, explained that granite rock contains a lot of uranium and radon is a “daughter product” of uranium.
However, in the west of the county, much of the granite is under a covering of peat, which allows the radon to be released without human health consequences.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas with no colour, taste or smell which can increase the risk of developing lung cancer. Outdoors, radon quickly dilutes to harmless concentrations but the gas can accumulate to unacceptably high concentrations within an enclosed space, including a house, if not detected.
While limestone does not contain much uranium, radon – which is soluble – can travel in water and then emerge through the fractures in the limestone rock.
“Fractured limestone can be exploited by naturally occurring radon gas leading to large radon accumulations within the overlying soil that can pose a threat to health,” said James.
The data has been passed to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) so that it can update its radon risk zones.
“The EPA have the existing radon maps and eventually, once the data on the models has been fully evaluated and we have enough information, they will adopt the more up to date maps,” stated the scientist.
“Now we’re not saying these areas definitely will have high levels of radon but depending on the radon barriers in place in the home – by even opening windows there will be less chance of high levels of radon – we’re urging people to get a radon test done to determine whether the levels are safe or not.”
The maps will serve as guidance for communities, planners, builders and house owners across the region and wider country. The Tellus data, which was collected last summer using the latest technology on-board a distinctive low-flying airplane, also reveals significant information on the magnetic and electromagnetic properties of the underground rocks, soils and waters of south Mayo and Galway. The new data provides fresh insights into the ancient and complex rocks of Connemara including faults, folded rock formations and areas of previously undiscovered buried granite.
“This information is vital for improving the Geological Survey’s maps, which will be used to better understand the physical and chemical properties of the soil, rocks and water of Ireland.”
Minister of State for Natural Resources, Sean Kyne, said the survey confirms the EPA’s message that parts of Galway are at high risk from radon.
“Up to 250 cases of radon-related lung cancer are diagnosed in Ireland each year. The detailed data about the radon distribution in this area is a significant output from Tellus and will help better identify areas that are naturally more prone to this easily prevented risk,” the Fine Gael Minister said.
Radon test kits can also be purchased through the EPA. More information on the risks of radon exposure, advice on how to prevent and reduce radon levels in homes and buildings, can be found on the EPA’s website www.radon.ie.
Significant state investment is required to address ‘shocking’ inequalities that leave cancer patients in the West at greater risk of succumbing to the disease.
A meeting of Regional Health Forum West heard that survival rates for breast, lung and colorectal cancers than the national average, and with the most deprived quintile of the population, the West’s residents faced poorer outcomes from a cancer diagnosis.
For breast cancer patients, the five-year survival rate was 80% in the West versus 85% nationally; for lung cancer patients it was 16.7% in the west against a 19.5% national survival rate; and in the West’s colorectal cancer patients, there was a 62.6% survival rate where the national average was 63.1%.
These startling statistics were provided in answer to a question from Ballinasloe-based Cllr Evelyn Parsons (Ind) who said it was yet another reminder that cancer treatment infrastructure in the West was in dire need of improvement.
“The situation is pretty stark. In the Western Regional Health Forum area, we have the highest incidence of deprivation and the highest health inequalities because of that – we have the highest incidences of cancer nationally because of that,” said Cllr Parsons, who is also a general practitioner.
In details provided by CEO of Saolta Health Care Group, which operates Galway’s hospitals, it was stated that a number of factors were impacting on patient outcomes.
Get the full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now, or you can download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie. You can also download our Connacht Tribune App from Apple’s App Store or get the Android Version from Google Play.
Galway 3-18
Cork 1-10
NEW setting; new opposition; new challenge. It made no difference to the Galway minor hurlers as they chalked up a remarkable sixth consecutive double digits championship victory at Semple Stadium on Saturday.
The final scoreline in Thurles may have been a little harsh on Cork, but there was no doubting Galway’s overall superiority in setting up only a second-ever All-Ireland showdown against Clare at the same venue on Sunday week.
Having claimed an historic Leinster title the previous weekend, Galway took a while to get going against the Rebels and also endured their first period in a match in which they were heavily outscored, but still the boys in maroon roll on.
Beating a decent Cork outfit by 14 points sums up how formidable Galway are. No team has managed to lay a glove on them so far, and though Clare might ask them questions other challengers haven’t, they are going to have to find significant improvement on their semi-final win over 14-man Kilkenny to pull off a final upset.
Galway just aren’t winning their matches; they are overpowering the teams which have stood in their way. Their level of consistency is admirable for young players starting off on the inter-county journey, while the team’s temperament appears to be bombproof, no matter what is thrown at them.
Having romped through Leinster, Galway should have been a bit rattled by being only level (0-4 each) after 20 minutes and being a little fortunate not to have been behind; or when Cork stormed out of the blocks at the start of the second half by hitting 1-4 to just a solitary point in reply, but there was never any trace of panic in their ranks.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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GARDAÍ and the IFA have issued a joint appeal to all road users to take extra care as the silage season gets under way across the country.
Silage harvesting started in many parts of Galway last week – and over the coming month, the sight of tractors and trailers on rural roads will be getting far more frequent.
Inspector Conor Madden, who is in charge of Galway Roads Policing, told the Farming Tribune that a bit of extra care and common-sense from all road users would go a long way towards preventing serious collisions on roads this summer.
“One thing I would ask farmers and contractors to consider is to try and get more experienced drivers working for them.
“Tractors have got faster and bigger – and they are also towing heavy loads of silage – so care and experience are a great help in terms of accident prevention,” Inspector Madden told the Farming Tribune.
He said that tractor drivers should always be aware of traffic building up behind them and to pull in and let these vehicles pass, where it was safe to do so.
“By the same token, other road users should always exercise extra care; drive that bit slower; and ‘pull in’ that bit more, when meeting tractors and heavy machinery.
“We all want to see everyone enjoying a safe summer on our roads – that extra bit of care, and consideration for other roads users can make a huge difference,” said Conor Madden.
He also advised motorists and tractor drivers to be acutely aware of pedestrians and cyclists on the roads during the summer season when more people would be out walking and cycling on the roads.
The IFA has also joined in on the road safety appeal with Galway IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Chair Teresa Roche asking all road users to exercise that extra bit of care and caution.
“We are renewing our annual appeal for motorists to be on the look out for tractors, trailers and other agricultural machinery exiting from fields and farmyards,” she said.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Families queue up for school’s offer of free house
West has lower cancer survival rates than rest
Galway minors continue to lay waste to all opponents
Gardaí and IFA issue a joint appeal on summer road safety
Marathon Man plans to call a halt – but not before he hits 160 races
