A HSE office in Co Clare that was found to have almost three times the permitted level of the cancer-causing radon gas has been closed and staff moved to another premises while remedial works are carried out.
A second office in the same building was also found to have a level of radon in excess of what is legally permitted. Both the affected offices are located at a business park at Tobartaoscáin in Ennis where the HSE rents several units from which they operate six departments.
Sensors located in the building to monitor radon gas levels were sent to the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland for analysis and the HSE received the results of those tests in the past fortnight.
The HSE then contacted the owners of the building and notified them of the situation.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which originates from the decay of uranium in rock and soil. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless and can only be measured using special equipment.
A specialist contractor is now due to examine the affected offices and advise the owners on how best to deal with the issue.
The HSE confirmed: "Staff were moved out of the offices and remedial work will be undertaken. Employees were offered screening by our occupational health department and one person recorded two days' sick leave. However, nobody is out sick as a result."