David Fenton, RPII, Ireland

Introduction

In November 2011 the Irish Government announced the establishment of an Inter-Agency Group tasked with developing a National Radon Control Strategy for Ireland. This new inter-agency group comprises representatives from those state agencies who have a role in radon control. This important announcement was very much welcomed by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) who for many years had recognised that radon must be tackled through a Government-led strategy which co-ordinated the work of all relevant state agencies. This paper looks at the work done in recent years that led to this decision. In addition the framework for the work programme of the Group is reviewed. 

The RPII and radon

Radon is an important component of the work of the RPII. In recent years, it has concentrated on working bi-laterally with a number of key State agencies as part of its efforts to reduce the radon hazard in Ireland. These agencies include the Public Health Authority in Ireland called the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG) who is the relevant Government Department, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) who is responsible for implementing regulations governing safety in workplaces and Local Authorities especially those in the High Radon Areas. Such bilateral work is key to driving the radon message on a local and national basis. However, the RPII had long recognised that a Government-led National Radon Control Strategy which pulls together these bi-lateral relationships was needed.

Work with other State agencies in Ireland

Health Services Executive (HSE) – radon and public health

In April 2010, the RPII and HSE jointly published a Joint Position Statement on radon gas in Ireland. This Statement recognised radon as an important public health issue. The single recommendation was the immediate establishment of an expert group to develop a radon strategy for Ireland. Such an approach was consistent with international best practice as set out by the WHO in 2009.

Health and Safety Authority (HSA) - radon in workplaces

Since 2009 the HSA has included radon in their workplace inspections. In addition to this, radon was also included in RPII inspections, including inspections of underground workplaces where the radon has to be managed on an ongoing basis. These efforts, comprising over a thousand workplace inspections, have resulted in a noticeable increase in enquiries from employers on radon.

Local Authorities – radon in social housing

In recent years the RPII has engaged with Local Authorities on radon especially those in counties most at risk from radon. This work was largely aimed at supporting Local Authorities to assess and communicate the radon risk to their tenants. To date, the measurement programmes in social housing in Ireland has resulted in about 10,000 homes being tested for radon. To put this in context in Ireland over the past 20 years 49,000 private homes have been tested for radon. The radon programmes of the Local Authorities have therefore resulted in a very important dataset of information which, in addition to improving the picture of the radon risk in these areas, contain important information on the effectiveness of the current building regulations as well as the effectiveness of different remediation methods. The data will help inform development of the national radon control strategy.

National Radon Forum

The National Radon Forum is organised annually by the RPII and brings together stakeholders from both public and private sectors who have a role to play in the control of radon. Last November, the ninth National Radon Forum was held in Dublin and was opened by the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr Phil Hogan T.D. The Minister used the opportunity to announce the establishment of the Inter-Agency Group, referred to above.

Public Awareness on radon

Over recent years the RPII has implemented integrated publicity campaigns in High Radon Areas. The campaigns include advertising on local radio and newspapers as well as interviews, promotional activities, developing web and Facebook pages, public meetings and tailored briefing sessions for local elected public representatives and community and business/industry groups. To date campaigns have been held in counties Sligo, Carlow, Tipperary, Waterford, Galway and Kerry. 

Developing a National Radon Strategy for Ireland

The Inter-Agency Group, tasked with developing a National Radon Strategy for Ireland, has met three times since it was established in November 2011. It is chaired by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, and comprises representatives of four Departments (Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, Department of Health and Children, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources) and six Agencies (the Radiological Protection institute of Ireland, the Health Services Executive, the Health and Safety Authority, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the City and County Managers Association and the Geological Survey of Ireland).

The Work Programme for the Group is organised in terms of a series of work packages, listed below. These work packages will be undertaken by working groups (WG) drawn from the membership of the Inter-Agency Group and including, where appropriate, external experts. Stakeholder consultation is key to the process and feeds into the deliberations of each WG.

The Inter-Agency Group is to present an interim report to the Minister by November 2012. The Group intends putting a draft radon control strategy for public consultation early in 2013 with a view to making a recommendation to Government by November 2013.

Summary

The RPII has for many years advocated that a cohesive Government led strategy is a cost effective long-term solution to the radon problem in Ireland. It is indeed welcome that such a strategy is now under development. Radon will remain a central part of the work of the RPII and the RPII will therefore continue to work with other state agencies and stakeholder to develop of a national radon strategy.