Radon exposure in Ireland

摘要

Background: A survey of radon in domestic dwellings in Ireland has recently been completed by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII). This survey was carried out to identify areas of the country most at risk from high indoor radon levels. Methods: The survey was geographically based using the 10-km grid squares of the National Grid as the unit area. Indoor radon measurements were carried out for 12 months using CR-39 detectors in houses selected at random throughout the country. The results were used to predict the percentage of houses in each grid square with radon levels in excess of 200 Bq/m~3 (the reference level for houses). Results: Radon measurements were carried out in 11, 319 houses throughout the country. Radon levels varied from 10 to 1924 Bq/m~3 with an average indoor radon concentration of 89 Bq/m~3. Using the GeoDirectory database, it can be estimated that approximately 91,000 houses throughout the country have indoor levels in excess of 200 Bq/m~3. Conclusions: The results of the survey will be used to target new surveys in order to identify the 65% of high radon houses located in high-radon areas. To address the issue of radon in new houses, the Building Regulations have been amended to require the incorporation of radon preventative measures during construction.