High radon concentrations in a house near Castleisland, County Kerry (Ireland)—identification,remediation and post-remediation

Abstract

In July 2003, a passive radon measurement carried out over a 3-month periodin a house near Castleisland in County Kerry (South-West of Ireland)identified a seasonally adjusted annual average concentration of approximately49 000 Bq m−3. This is the highest radon concentration ever recorded in a house inIreland. It is almost 250 times higher than the national reference level of200 Bq m−3 for homes and it gives rise to an estimated annual radiation dose of approximately1.2 Sv to the occupants. This paper describes the identification of the ‘Castleislandhouse’ and gives information on the local geology, the levels of natural backgroundradiation in the area and the follow-up actions taken to remediate the house as wellas the efforts made to heighten awareness in the locality of the hazards fromradon.