Greens call for more extensive testing for radon nationally

According the the Green Party councillor on Wicklow County Council, Deirdre de Burca, the high levels of radon found in drinking water in Co Wicklow represent "an unknown risk to human health". Councillor de Burca believes that a comprehensive national sudy modelled on the pilot study in Wicklow must be carried out as a matter of priority in order to establish the the levels of radiation in drinking water supplies in high radon areas.

"The extent of the problem must be clearly established in order to indicate the level of investment that the State will have to make in technology that will be able to filter out the radon. This study must be arried out as a matter of urgency so that the people of Wicklow do not have to wait for an unacceptably long period of time before remediation measures are taken" she said. "While the relevant technology may not exist in the State at present, the seriousness of the threat to public health posed by high levels of radon gas in soil and drinking water around the country must be addressed without delay. It is my hope that Minister Martin will make a statement on the subject in the Dail over the next few days which should go some way towards reassuring the people of Wicklow affected by this serious problem".

For further information please contact Deirdre de Burca on 086 8061450 or email deburca@wicklowgreens.org.