We often discuss the fact that radon is indiscriminate in terms of location, but a lot of news about the deadly gas comes directly out of the US. While we have discussed its presence in Canada, United Kingdom and other locations there are plenty of other areas in the world where its an issue.
According to information from the Radiological Protection Instititute of Ireland (RPII), 181 homes have been found to contain elevated levels of radon in a span of just eight months. In addition, nearly 8,000 other homes labeled as a high risk for the presence of radon gas have been checked. That may seem like a pretty high number, until you consider the fact that there are 83,000 more homes in the country which have yet to be tested. That means, only 8% of the homes in Ireland have actually been tested for elevated levels of radon.
The image on the right is a map of Ireland, which depicts the areas of the country that have a higher risk for radon. Whether you are in a high risk area or not, you should still have your home – or business – tested for the presence of radon.
Many More Homes in Ireland May Have Elevated Levels of Radon
Radon has been linked to about 250 cases of lung cancer in Ireland per year. The unfortunate part about that is it can be prevented quite easily. Since radon is odorless, colorless and tasteless the only way to detect its presence is to test for it. However, tests are fairly inexpensive and just take an extended period of time – depending on whether you’re conducting a long or short term test.
We recommend testing your residence at least twice a year, once in the summer and a second time in the winter. All homeowners should test, regardless of home type, or location. Common practice is to conduct a short term test first, and if elevated levels are discovered then a long term test should follow to identify the average radon levels. You can also install a radon detector that will monitor levels constantly, but they are generally only necessary after you install a mitigation system.
What to Do If Elevated Levels of Radon Are Found?
If elevated levels are found, you will need to contact a professional radon mitigator to setup a mitigation system – which removes radon gas from the home. There are many different kinds of mitigation systems available, which is why it’s best to contact a professional, although you can do it yourself if you have the wherewithal.
It is important to keep in mind that elevated radon levels can still exist inside your home even if your closest neighbors do not have an issue. The radon can seep into homes from the soil through cracks in the foundation, walls and floors. Once inside, it is trapped and gathers in abundance. Some homes are more susceptible to radon, especially those that were built long before radon resistant construction measures were adopted. SInce a large majority of homes in Ireland are very old, it’s definitely a widespread issue in the country. Then again, radon is a problem in every country.
Via: The Journal.ie
