A survey has found that 10% of new homes that had been fitted with barriers to prevent the build-up of the radioactive gas radon still have high levels of the gas.
The survey by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland was carried out in Kilkenny. It found that one house had seven times the recommended level of radon.
The gas, which occurs naturally, is blamed for 200 lung cancer deaths each year.
Since July 1998, new homes in high-risk areas have to have a radon barrier, a special sheet which prevents the naturally occurring colourless, odourless & tasteless gas from moving up from the ground into houses.
The RPII says these results are in line with similar surveys in Ennis and Tralee and show the only proper precaution is for householders to purchase special detection equipment, which costs around €45.
