EPA funded radon research in Ireland and its impact on the National Radon Control Strategy

Abstract

Radon is a radioactive gas formed in the ground by the radioactive decay of uranium which is present in all rocks and soils. It is the greatest source of exposure to ionising radiation for people living in Ireland and the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. It is estimated that exposure to radon accounts for approximately 14% of all lung cancers in Ireland, which equates to around 300 lung cancer cases annually. In November 2011 the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, announced the Government decision to establish an Inter-Agency (IA) group to develop a national radon control strategy (NRCS) for Ireland. The purpose of the strategy is to reduce the number of lung cancers in Ireland that are caused by radon. The IA group comprises experts from the key Government Departments and State Agencies relevant to tackling the radon problem in Ireland. A Research Working Group (RWG) was established by the IA group to identify knowledge gaps and to point to areas where further targeted research could support and improve the effectiveness of the NRCS. The RWG reviewed the research ideas collected during the development of the NRCS including those raised in the stakeholder and public consultations. The research ideas were divided into four thematic areas, this paper will present an overview of the EPA funded radon research that falls under the theme that focuses on radon preventive measures and also outline the impact of this work at a national and international level.