Tralee house found to have ten times the safe radon level
Unusual development as deadly gas is also found in Kenmare
A HOUSE in Tralee has been found to have more than ten times the safe level of cancer causing radon gas.
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.
Between June and December 2011 the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) carried out 140 tests for radon gas in homes in Kerry.
Of these, 28 were found to be above the acceptable level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3).
Two homes, one in the BallonaghSpa Road area of Tralee and one in Castleisland, were found to have more than ten times the acceptable level with readings in excess of 2000 Bq/m3.
Four homes had more than four times the acceptable level with readings in excess of 800 Bq/m3, three of these were found in Tralee and the fourth in Castleisland.
The remaining 22 homes had readings above and up to four times the acceptable level and were found in Tralee, Killarney, Castleisland, Currow and Kenmare.
Commenting on the findings, Mr David Fenton, senior scientist at the RPII, said the figures show Radon is a significant problem in Kerry.
"These figures show that Kerry 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," he said.
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 can be 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 per cent.
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. readings in excess of 2,000 Bq/m3.
Four homes had more than four times the acceptable level with readings in excess of 800 Bq/m3, three of these were found in Tralee and the fourth in Castleisland.
The remaining 22 homes had readings above and up to four times the acceptable level and were found in Tralee, Killarney, Castleisland, Currow and Kenmare.
Radon is produced from limestone deposits. Tralee and Castleisland sit on large deposits of the rock while there is also a considerable amount of Limestone under outlying sections of Killarney.
In the Kenmare area limestone is considerably rarer with only one small pocket of the substance lying to the north west of the town.
It was in this area where the home with the high radon levels was discovered.
The RPII said that while not entirely unexpected the discovery of such high levels of radon in the Kenmare area was unusual.
- SIMON BROUDER sbrouder@kerryman.ie
