Radon Radioactive gas in your home?

What is radon? Radon is radioactive Radon is radioactive It decays and emits an alpha particle It decays and emits an alpha particle If this happens in your lungs it can damage living cells If this happens in your lungs it can damage living cells

Why is it so harmful? Because it is a gas it can be inhaled right into the living tissue of the lungs Because it is a gas it can be inhaled right into the living tissue of the lungs In non-smokers radon is the main cause of lung cancer In non-smokers radon is the main cause of lung cancer

Radon is the biggest single source of natural background radiation – making up about half of most people’s annual radiation dose. Radon is the biggest single source of natural background radiation – making up about half of most people’s annual radiation dose. The recommended radiation exposure limit for nuclear workers is 20 mSv per year. In radon terms this is about 400 Bq per m 3 of air. The recommended radiation exposure limit for nuclear workers is 20 mSv per year. In radon terms this is about 400 Bq per m 3 of air.

Radon Levels Ireland has a relatively high radon level and much research has been carried out to find the areas of highest concentration. Ireland has a relatively high radon level and much research has been carried out to find the areas of highest concentration.

Where does Radon come from? Rocks containing uranium emit radon Rocks containing uranium emit radon This can seep through cracks in the the rocks into the floor of your house This can seep through cracks in the the rocks into the floor of your house

What increases the risks If a house is bulit on rocks which emit radon – especially granite If a house is bulit on rocks which emit radon – especially granite Holes in the floor allow the radon to seep in Holes in the floor allow the radon to seep in

Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland This organisation monitors all forms of radiation in Ireland This organisation monitors all forms of radiation in Ireland Web site

Results of 1998 survey

Radon Map of County Dublin Each square is 10km wide Each square is 10km wide Colour shows the percentage of houses predicted to exceed 200 Bq/m 3 Colour shows the percentage of houses predicted to exceed 200 Bq/m 3 Above this level action should be taken. Above this level action should be taken.

Map of Dublin

Schools Radon Survey

Radiation in mSv per year Radon is part of the natural background radiation - other sources are shown in the table

Sources of Radiation in mSv per year Medical Misc Artificial* Food and Drink Natural Radioactivity in Air Ground and Buildings Cosmic Rays * Air Travel, Coal Burning, Occupational, etc