Madam, – As a former scientific secretary of the International Commission on Radiological Protection I am concerned at the very high levels of radon found in some parts of the country (Breaking News, September 17th). Leaving aside the high levels found in some areas, radon exposes the population as a whole to by far the highest level of any form of radiation. The average person receives more than half of his or her total radiation exposure from radon. Radiation doses – and the risk of lung cancer – to those living in areas of high radon levels can, of course, be much higher. This is a serious health issue; I would therefore endorse the plea from the chief executive of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland for homeowners to arrange for the measurement of radon levels in their home. (I should mention that I am completely independent from the RPII).
– Yours, etc,