Your Environment
Radon and your environment
The greatest health risk from radiation in Ireland is caused by radon. It accounts for 56 per cent of the total radiation dose received by the Irish population. Between 150 and 200 lung cancer deaths in Ireland every year can be linked to radon.
What is radon?
- Radon is a radioactive gas which is naturally produced in the ground from uranium present in small quantities in all rocks and soils
- You cannot see, smell or taste radon
- Radon can only be measured by a simple test.
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Why is radon a problem?
- Radon is a radioactive gas which produces tiny radioactive particles. When inhaled, these particles are deposited in the airways and on the tissue of the lung. This results in a radiation dose that can cause lung cancer
- Your risk of contracting lung cancer from exposure to radon depends on how much radon you have been exposed to, how long you have been exposed and whether or not you smoke
- When you are exposed for a long period of time to high levels of radon, you increase your risk of developing lung cancer. For more information on this read the RPII-HSE Joint Position Statement on Radon
- Radon is in the same group of carcinogens as asbestos and tobacco smoke
- Radon is not linked to any other types of respiratory illnesses or other types of cancer.
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How does a radon measurement work?
- A home radon measurement is usually carried out by placing two small detectors, about the size of an air freshener, in your home for three months.
- One detector is placed in a bedroom, the other in a living room - the places most occupied by the homeowner and family.
- For information on measuring a workplace for radon read our guide to radon in workplace measurements.
- Because they are measuring radon all the time, it is important to place the detectors in the rooms immediately and always within 7 days.
- After three months, the detectors are returned to the laboratory and they are analysed to see how much radon they have been exposed to.
- Once analysis is complete, a report is issued to the person who requested the measurement indicating the average level of radon in the home or workplace and advice on what to do next if it is a high result.
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