National Radon Control Strategy: Review and Next Steps Paul Shortt Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Tackling Radon Beyond 2018 The main goal of the NRCS is “to reduce the incidence of radon related lung cancers” Work to achieve this goal will continue to be a priority in Ireland for the foreseeable future It is important to continue to tackle radon using the structured & coordinated approach of the NRCS In addition, the implementation of the Basic Safety Standards legislation requires the establishment of a National Radon Action Plan Paper circulated sets out briefly what such a strategy could look like

Review of the National Radon Control Strategy The first step will be to deliver the NRCS Year 4 report to Government (Q2 2018) Following this a detailed review of the NRCS will be carried out This review will include: status of each action impact of the measures taken to date lessons learnt outstanding issues identification of further actions appropriate The review will make recommendations regarding NRCS Phase 2 including: further actions responsibilities for implementation coordination process

National Radon Control Strategy – Phase 2 Some actions in NRCS – Phase 2 will continue as part of established work programmes (for example): Registration schemes for measurement & remediation companies (EPA) Radon awareness work (EPA) Maintenance and development of www.radon.ie (EPA) Established work programmes

National Radon Control Strategy – Phase 2 Some actions in NRCS – Phase 2 will continue as part of bilateral or multilateral cooperation (for example): Health and Safety Authority workplace inspections in high radon areas will continue to include radon. The HSA and the EPA will continue to cooperate bilaterally on this action. Training for remediation contractors will be required periodically. This will require collaboration between the Local Authority Services National Training Group, DHPLG and the EPA. Training for site staff will be rolled out by the CIF periodically (in collaboration with EPA, Necoflex, HSE, CCMA, DHPLG and NSAI) Established work programmes

National Radon Control Strategy – Phase 2 Some actions in NRCS – Phase 2 will implement the requirements of the Basic Safety Standards (for example): Development of guidance documents for employers Extension of registration scheme for measurement services to include workplaces Regulation of workplaces Established work programmes

National Radon Control Strategy – Phase 2 Some actions in NRCS – Phase 2 will be addressed through the EPA’s annual research call (for example): To address “knowledge gaps” identified during NRCS review To collate critical metrics (eg national indoor average, number of radon related lung cancers) to assess the effectiveness of the srategy

National Radon Control Strategy – Phase 2 Coordination and Reporting A coordination group will be established to: Input to the development of NRCS – Phase 2 Review progress Provide advice and guidance as required Bilateral or multi-lateral working groups may be established to progress specific tasks Continue annual reporting to Government