Radon is a radioactive gas that causes lung cancer. It is formed in the ground by the radioactive decay of uranium which is present in all rocks and soils. You cannot see it, smell it, or taste it. It can only be measured with special detectors. Radon can cause lung cancer when exposed to high levels over a long period of time. Every year in Ireland, radon causes about 350 cases of lung cancer.
Homes in some parts of Ireland are more likely to have a radon problem. These are called high radon areas. The EPA's Radon risk map will tell you if a home is in a High Radon Area. High Radon Areas are shown in red.
Radon is easy to test for and it is easy to reduce the levels of radon in a home. The National reference level for radon in homes is 200 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3). Ideally all homes should have radon levels below this value. If a radon test shows radon concentrations above this value, there are a number of simple remediation methods that you can use to reduce the radon levels.
By law (Article 66 of Statutory Instrument No.30 2019) employers located in high radon areas are required to test their premises for radon. The acceptable level, or Reference Level, for workplaces in Ireland is 300 Bq/m3. If following a radon measurement, radon concentrations above this value are found, remediation measures to reduce the radon levels are required and must be completed within 12 months. Check if your workplace is in a high radon area on our Radon in Workplaces map.
Learn More
Website: www.radon.ie
Freephone: 1800 300 600
Email: radon@epa.ie.