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Radiation shock for workers STAFF at The Corkman newspaper
in Mallow were exposed to more radiation than Sellafield workers with
the discovery of the highest ever level of cancer-causing radon gas in
a workplace.
The level detected was more than 60 times higher than the acceptable limit.
It has been estimated that working eight hours a day in the office would
be equivalent to receiving 39 chest X-rays per day or 10,000 chest X-rays
in a working year.
The radon sampling at the offices was carried out between May and August
with the results being made known in the last number of days.
While Mallow has long been regarded as a high radon area experts said
they were surprised with the discovery of 25,000Bq/m3 in one office while
the maximum legally acceptable limit in a workplace is 400Bq/m3.
A radon level 60 times higher than the legal maximum would exceed the
radiation exposure of Sellafield workers.
On being told of the high levels present in the office the employer took
immediate action to fix the problem.
Dr Ann McGarry from the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland said:
“Given that you cannot smell, see or taste radon people just don’t
realise they may be working and living with radiation levels that are
above the legal limit for workers in a nuclear power plant.” |
