Radon is a radioactive gas that causes lung cancer. You cannot see it, smell it or taste it. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are conducting a survey of radon in Irish homes, to better understand current radon levels in houses across the country and its health effects.
Application Window Closed
Thank you for your interest in the National Radon Survey 2025. Applications are now closed. The EPA Radon Team has sent two radon detectors to all successful applicants. These detectors should now be placed in your home and you should send back the attached questionnaire. Please note - a start date must be provided to get to your radon result. This information should be completed on your survey questionnaire. Assistance in completing questionnaires or providing us with a start date can also be done by emailing radonsurvey@epa.ie or contacting us on 1800 300 600.
These detectors should be left in place for three months and the EPA Radon Team will be in touch towards the end of this three month period to let you know the next steps. Please keep an eye out in your post box and email inbox for communications from radonsurvey@epa.ie.
Why are we conducting a National Radon Survey?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are conducting a survey of radon in Irish homes. A national survey in 2017 found that radon is linked to about 350 lung cancer cases in Ireland every year. The EPA is now repeating this survey to better understand current radon levels in homes across the country and its health effects.
We sent out invitations to a random selection of addresses across the country and detectors have now been sent to selected participants.
Why take part
The goals of the National Radon Survey are:
Help us better understand current radon levels in homes across the country
Update the estimated exposure from Radon based on today’s population and home types
Identify homes at risk
Raise awareness about radon
How it works
We have posted radon tests to selected participants along with instructions on what to do. This will involve placing two radon detectors in your home for three months from September to November 2025 and returning them to us by freepost. Your home must be occupied during the measurement period.
What is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas that causes lung cancer. You cannot see it, smell it or taste it. It can only be measured with special detectors.
Where does Radon come from?
It is formed in the ground by the radioactive decay of uranium which is present in all rocks and soil.
Health Impact
Radon can cause lung cancer when exposed to high levels over a long period of time. Radon is is in the same group of cancer-causing substances as asbestos and tobacco smoke.
Every year in Ireland, radon causes about 350 cases of lung cancer.
In Ireland, radon accounts for almost 60% of the total radiation dose the average person receives annually. Further data is available in the 2024 Ionising Radiation National Dose Report.
National Radon Survey FAQs
Why has my house been selected to take part?
Your address is one of many which has been randomly selected. Please note this is a limited offer and is subject to availability. The offer is available only to the address on this letter.
Where will my information be shared?
Your name and address will be shared with a logistics company so that they can post your radon test kit directly to you. Your information will also be shared with the radon testing company who will analyse your radon test kit and send you a report with your results. The EPA will also receive a copy of your results for use in our research. The house location, radon result and questionnaire answers will be shared with EPA’s research partner.
What will the EPA do with my information and how long will it be held?
Your house’s location, the information shared in the questionnaire, and your radon result will be used by the EPA in its National Radon Survey 2025 and for associated research informing the National Radon Control Strategy, but this information will not be linked to you personally. The EPA will store your name and address for two years from the date your results are issued to you. Your Eircode, questionnaire information and radon results will be retained for EPA research purposes.
What if my house has high levels of radon?
If the test shows your house has high levels of radon, we will advise you on ways to reduce these levels:www.epa.ie/environment-and-you/radon/fixing-a-radon-problem/. Improving indoor ventilation can sometimes be sufficient to address moderate levels of radon. For higher levels, remediation work may be needed. A fan assisted sump can be installed in a day and can reduce radon levels by over 90%.
Where can I find out more about radon, the EPA, the National Radon Control Strategy and the survey?
You can call our Freefone number 1800 300 600, visit our website www.radon.ie or email radonsurvey@epa.ie.
