The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland has highlighted the Government's failure to introduce a grant system to reduce radioactive gas levels in homes. It also says that Sellafield radiation levels are very low in fish landed at Irish ports.
The RPII, in its 2001 annual report, published yesterday, described its involvement in a range of activities including a full-scale assessment of the National Emergency Plan for Nuclear Accidents. The exercise, held in November 2001, identified a "number of areas requiring review" by the institute, the report states. A key question related to the adequacy of its Clonskeagh, Dublin offices to serve as the control centre in the event of an emergency. Another related to the institute's national radiation monitoring network.
It noted the passage into law of the Radiological Protection (Amendment) Act 2002, which it said provided a legislative basis for a scheme of grants to assist householders with the cost of reducing high radon gas levels in their homes. Radon is an invisible, naturally occurring gas that, at high levels, can increase the risk of lung cancer.
"The institute has long advocated the introduction of such a scheme and very much regrets that no resources will be made available in 2003 to fund the scheme," the institute says.
Continued monitoring for Sellafield radiation in fish and shellfish taken from around our coasts showed very low contamination levels, the report indicates. "The institute therefore advises that, from a radiological perspective, it is safe to eat seafood landed at Irish fishing ports."
The RPII had to investigate 11 incidents involving radiation used in industry, medicine and education, according to the annual report. The most serious involved excessive radiation exposure to a person assisting a vet to perform X-ray examinations on horses.
The exposure "could have been avoided if the correct procedures had been followed". The veterinary practice was "censured".