Press Release 22 December 2004 Nine per cent of lung cancer deaths linked to radon

Press Release 22 December 2004

Nine per cent of lung cancer deaths linked to radon

- Government must reintroduce
Radon Remediation Grants Scheme

The Green Party has repeated its call for the return of a grants scheme to tackle radioactive radon gas in existing homes as a major study links 9% of lung cancer deaths in Europe to radon exposure. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas, which can accumulate in homes and cause radiation exposure. The study appeared yesterday in the British Medical Journal.

Green Party Environment spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD, said today that, “Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is present in many Irish homes. It can cause cancer if levels are allowed to remain high. This latest study, the largest of its kind, suggests that 9% of lung cancer deaths are caused by radon exposure. This is a shocking statistic and there is a moral imperative on the Government to immediately assist those living in homes with high levels of radon by reintroducing the Remediation Grants Scheme. ”

“There was provision for radon remediation grants, to offset 50% of the cost to householders, set out in the Radiological Protection Amendment Act of 2002. However, due to Government budget constraints the scheme was scrapped in 2003.”

“People should be given financial help in situations where the levels of radioactivity are very high. An estimated 91,000 or 7% of the nation’s homes are at risk from levels exceeding safety limits. Minister Roche should bring back the grants system so that older homes are protected. This measure would save lives,” concluded Deputy Cuffe.

Ciarán Cuffe is a TD for the Dún Laoghaire Dáil Constituency. Ciarán can be contacted at Dáil Éireann, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 or 96 Patrick Street, Dún Laoghaire Tel. 284 6060 or 618 3082, Fax 618 4341, Email Ciaran CiaranCuffe.com, or Text Ciaran on 087 265 2075.