Alarming levels of cancer-causing radon found in Galway homes

BYâ€Ë†TONYâ€Ë†GALVIN THREE homes in Tuam have shown alarming levels of radon gas in the latest survey carried out by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII). The homes have over ten times the acceptable level of radon, a gas that comes second only to smoking as a cause of lung cancer. The survey, carried out in over 1,500 homes throughout Co Galway over the first five months of this year, has highlighted East Galway as one of the main danger areas in the county, with a 10km survey grid, taking in Tuam and its surroundings, showing over 20 per cent of homes have radon readings above the recommended safety levels. A grid map available on RPII's website (www.rpii.ie) shows East Galway, along with North Mayo and Sligo, as being among the areas of highest radon concentration in the country. One home in Galway city had 19 times the acceptable level of cancer-causing radon â€â€ for those living in the house, their home is receiving a radiation dose equivalent to 13 chest X-rays per day. In a 10km square grid area, taking in Tuam and its environs, the indications are that this is a high-risk radon area, with over 20 per cent of homes showing radon above recommended safety levels. In the 10km grid covering the Mountbellew area, the survey shows that five to ten per cent of homes are above the recommended level, and Dunmore shows a similar level. Headford is also designated a high-radon area, with over 20 per cent of homes showing readings above the recommended safety levels. Athenry shows similarly high readings as do Claregalway and Corrandulla. Glenamaddy is not as high, but still shows a ten to 20 per cent reading, which is classified by the survey as high. In a 10km grid taking in Ballinasloe, between one and five per cent of the homes are estimated to be above the safety level. In its latest publication of results from completed radon tests in the past five months, over 340 homes across Co Galway have been identified by the RPII as having high levels of radon. Radon is directly linked to up to 200 deaths from lung cancer each year. The findings showed: Four homes, three in Tuam and one in Headford, had more than ten times the acceptable level of radon. 31 homes had between four and ten times the acceptable level. These were located in: Salthill (six), Athenry (three), Craughwell (three), Ballinasloe (two), Bushypark (two), Claregalway (two), Galway City (two), Oranmore (two), Tuam (two), Abbeyknockmoy (one), Castlegar (one), Headford (one), Kingston (one), Knocknacarra (one), Oughterard (one) and Turloughmore (one). The remaining 198 homes had radon levels up to and above four times the acceptable level and were found, as predicted, in high-radon areas throughout the county. Commenting on the findings, Stephanie Long, a senior scientist at the RPII, said: 'Only a small fraction of homes in Galway have been tested for radon. Our research shows that, of those that have already tested, there is a large percentage with high radon levels. Tens of thousands of homeowners in Galway have yet to test for radon and among them are many thousands who are unknowingly living with a high risk to their family's health. It is really important for people to test their home for radon as this is the only way of knowing if their family is exposed to this cancer-causing gas.' The RPII say testing for radon levels is easy to do. The measuring devices cost in the region of €50. More information can be obtained by contacting www.rpii.ie or telephone 01-2697766.