RPII

Fast facts

1.  The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) is Ireland’s expert voice on ionising radiation.

2.  Radiation can be divided into two categories: ionising and non-ionising.

3.  Ionising radiation is a proven hazard, with enough energy to remove an electron from an atom or to break apart molecules. These ions and damaged molecules can go on to cause further damage in the surrounding tissue, possibly leading to cancer.

4.  The RPII is currently responsible only for ionising radiation. The government plans to widen our responsibilities to include non-ionising radiation.

5.  The RPII constantly monitors radioactivity in the Irish environment, which includes sampling and testing air, rainwater, drinking water, milk, seafood and other foodstuffs.

6.  On average, each person in Ireland is exposed to 3950 units of ionising radiation (called microsieverts - µSv) each year.

7.  The largest share of the ionising radiation we receive in Ireland is from natural sources – around 86 per cent, or 3400 µSv.

8.  Radon, a naturally occurring radiaoactive gas, accounts for more than half (2200 µSv) of everyone’s radiation dose. It originates in the rocks and soil and rises up through the ground to disperse in the air. It only becomes a health hazard when it is trapped in buildings.

9.  Radon is a Group 1 carcinogen that is linked to 150-200 deaths every year in Ireland. It is the second biggest cause of lung cancer after smoking.

10.  An important part of the RPII’s work involves measuring and advising on exposure to radon in homes and workplaces.

11.  The use of radiation in medicine - e.g. X-rays and CT scans - accounts for most of our exposure to man-made radiation in Ireland, which amounts to 14 per cent or 540 µSv.

12.  Approximately 600,000 X-ray examinations are carried out in Ireland every year.  Hospitals carrying out these procedures are licensed and regularly inspected by the RPII.

13.  The RPII licenses and regulates the possession and use of radioactive materials used in medicine, industry and education/research in Ireland.

14.  Around 0.4 per cent or 15 µSv of our annual dose from radiation is from the effects of atomic bomb tests in the ‘50s and ‘60s, the Chernobyl accident and discharges from nuclear installations such as Sellafield.

15.  The RPII constantly monitors the impact of Sellafield on Ireland, which is mainly through the consumption of seafood caught in the Irish Sea.

16.  Radiation doses in Ireland attributable to discharges from the Sellafield reprocessing plant are low compared to other sources of radiation exposure.

17.  The RPII monitors workers in medicine, industry and research who work with or could be exposed to radiation.

18.  On average, an individual receives a dose from cosmic radiation from airline travel equivalent to two chest X-rays annually.

19.  The RPII works with air operators to help ensure that air crew are monitored and protected from harmful cosmic radiation.

20.  The RPII works closely with governmental bodies to ensure that Ireland is fully prepared for and equipped to deal with any major nuclear emergency.

If our website does not answer all your queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.