Radon in Irish schools: the results of a national survey

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a survey of radon concentrations in Irish primary andpost-primary schools. The objective of this survey was to assess the distribution of radon inIrish schools and to identify those requiring remedial work to reduce radon exposure tochildren and staff. All primary and post-primary schools were invited to participate in thesurvey. Indoor radon concentrations were measured during the academic year usingintegrating passive alpha track-etch detectors with a measurement period fromthree to nine months. The survey was carried out on a phased basis from 1998 to2004 and is one of the most comprehensive of its kind undertaken in Europe.Measurements were completed in 38 531 ground floor classrooms and offices in 3826schools, representing over 95% of the approximate 4000 primary and post-primaryschools in Ireland. Of these, 984 schools had radon concentrations greater than200 Bq m−3 in 3028 rooms and 329 schools had radon concentrations in excess of400 Bq m−3 in 800 rooms.The average radon concentration in schools was93 Bq m−3. This results in an annual average effective dose to an Irish child from exposure to radon of0.3 mSv per year, assuming that the long-term radon concentration is equal to the radonconcentration present during the working hours and that the annual average occupancy is1000 h per year.A programme of remediation of schools with radon concentrations above200 Bq m−3 has been put in place.