DANGERS OF RADON HIGHLIGHTED AT MITCHELSTOWN MEETING
The residents of a Mitchelstown house with dangerous levels of radon gas suffered the radiation equivalent to 11 chest x-rays a day, an information seminar on the cancer causing gas revealed.
The seminar, entitled ‘The Radon Risk in Mitchelstown and North Cork,’ was chaired by chairman of the Northern committee Cllr Liam O’Doherty and featured a presentation from David Fenton of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland.
During the informative presentation Mr Fenton stressed the importance of having tests taken for the odourless, colourless gas in homes across Mitchelstown.
Current RPII figures indicate that 1 in 7 houses tested in the town so far have shown unacceptably high levels of the gas, which is linked to 200 lung cancer deaths per year.
Mr Fenton’s presentation outlined the various methods available for testing homes for radiation and subsequent methods that can be taken to address any high levels recorded.
A question and answer session followed, with local people in private homes expressing their concern at the prohibitive cost of installing the equipment required for homes found to have high levels.
While Cork County Council assume these costs for council tenants, and more modern homes are fitted with preventative measures as standard, private home owners of older properties face a bill in the region of €1,500 to €2,000.
Despite advice from the RPII, Mr Fenton said, the Government has not made any grants available for those who wish to retrofit the equipment to their homes. Mr Fenton also reminded those present that testing for the gas can cost as little as €56.
Published:
Thursday 23rd October 7:39pm
