What is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed by the decay of uranium in rocks and soils. It is colourless, odourless, and tasteless, and can only be detected using special equipment. Outdoors, radon disperses harmlessly, but indoors it can accumulate to dangerous levels, especially in poorly ventilated spaces.

Radon and your Health

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. In Ireland, it is linked to approximately 350 lung cancer cases every year. The risk is 25 times greater for smokers than lifelong non-smokers exposed to radon. Long-term exposure to high radon levels increases health risks substantially.

Find out more about health risks on the EPA website.

High Radon Areas

Certain parts of Ireland are classified as High Radon Areas, where homes and workplaces are more likely to have elevated radon levels.

• Use the EPA Radon Risk Map to check if your property is in a high-risk zone: www.radon.ie

Testing for Radon

Radon is easy to test for and it is easy to reduce the levels of radon in your 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 radon test shows radon concentrations above this value, then remediation measures to reduce the radon levels are recommended.

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.