National Radon Survey in Ireland, Annex VIII

An extensive population weighted radon survey was carried out in Ireland between 1985 and 1989. The survey indicated that the likelihood of finding a dwelling with elevated radon concentrations indoors was greatest in the western part of the country, although dwellings with elevated radon concentrations were identified in most counties in Ireland. Following this survey, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (now the Environmental Protection Agency) undertook follow-up surveys in some of the areas identified as having dwellings with high radon concentrations. In general these follow-up surveys confirmed the results of the national radon survey and provided additional information on the distribution of radon in these areas. In 1990, the Government adopted an annual average radon concentration of 200 Bq/m³ as the national reference level above which corrective action to reduce the radon concentration in a dwelling ought to be considered. To better quantify the extent of the population's exposure due to radon and to identify the areas of greatest risk, in 1992 the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland initiated a geographically based national radon survey. The survey was carried out over a period of seven years and the results were published in 2002.