The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) has given its support to the Radon Tee World Trek.
The international campaign, which was started in the USA by charity Cancer Survivors Against Radon (CanSAR) aims to increase awareness of the naturally occurring radioactive gas.
Radon Tee UK co-ordinators, propertECO met with David Fenton & Stephanie Long of the RPII’s Radon Advice Section to discuss the campaign and how the message of ‘reduce radon’ can best be spread to policymakers, homeowners and employers.
Dr Fenton had previously given a seminar on the challenges & opportunities faced by RPII in communicating the radon message and introduced their ‘Take the radon test’ campaign.
In addition to producing new, easy-to-understand literature on the subject, ‘Radon Awareness Weeks’ were being organised in counties known to be affected by high radon levels, briefings were given to politicians, public meetings were held, mailshots were sent to homes and radio interviews were given. Media adverts and billboards were also used to spread the message far and wide.
Dr Fenton also advised that the Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government had recently announced the Government decision to constitute an interagency group to develop a national radon control strategy for Ireland.
