200 GAS DEATHS; Health chiefs warn radon behind rise in lung cancer.

Byline: By AINE HEGARTY

UP to 200 people die every year from lung cancer caused by high levels of radon gas, it was revealed yesterday.

Figures released by the World Health Organisation show Irish deaths are much higher than the global average.

WHO also criticised the Government for not doing enough to deal with the problem.

The organisation's Dr Hajo Zeeb claimed up to 13 per cent of Irish lung cancer deaths are caused by radon.

He said: "This is clearly at the upper end of the scale and reflects the high radon levels found in Irish homes. Exposure to radon in homes and workplaces is one of the main risks.

"The aim of WHO's International Radon Project is to reduce the number of deaths due to indoor radon. Prevention is relatively easy but people and politicians are not taking enough notice of this problem."

Radon is a colourless, odourless and tasteless radioactive gas, which is generated naturally by the decay of rocks and soils. The gas only becomes a problem when it is trapped in building over years but the radioactive particles can trigger lung cancer.

Dr Ann McGarry, of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, advised homeowners to test their properties for the deadly gas.

She said: "Ireland has one of the highest average radon levels in Europe and we estimate that up to 200 Irish people each year die from lung cancer as a result of exposure to radon gas.

"For their own safety, we again urge the public to measure the levels of radon in their homes."

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