Radon Gas
Is your family exposed to radon gas? Are your employees exposed to radon gas?
Check the Radon Map of County Laois https://www.epa.ie/radiation
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is linked to approximately 150 – 200 lung cancers each year in Ireland. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless.
Radon comes from radioactive decay of minute quantities of uranium present in all rocks and soils. As radon is a gas it can move freely through soil enabling it to enter the atmosphere and accumulate in buildings. It enters the buildings mainly through cracks in floors and gaps around pipes or cables.
Since July 1998, all new houses must incorporate some degree of protection against radon. The measures required are dependant on whether the house is being built in a high radon area or not. Details can be found in the Building Regulations, particularly in Technical Guidance Document C to the regulations, published by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government contactable at 1890 202021 or on their website http://www.environ.ie.
The website also contains information on corrective options that can be taken on existing buildings. Radon measurement information and details are available by contacting the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) on:
FREEPHONE RADON 1800 300 600
or email radon@rpii.ie.