Radiological Protection Institute Of Ireland

(An Institiuid Eireannach um Chosaint Raideolaioch)

3, Clonskeagh Square, Clonskeagh Road, Dublin 14.
Telephone: (01) 2697766. Fax: (01) 2697437 or email: rpii

David Fenton is Manager of Regulatory Services at the RPII.

The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) was established in 1992, in accordance with the provisions of the Radiological Protection Act, 1991. The Institute is the national organisation that is concerned with hazards to health from ionising radiation and radioactive contamination of the environment.

The main activities of the Institute relate to:

• regulating the use of ionising radiation in medicine, industry and education.
• monitoring of radioactivity in the environment from both man-made sources e.g. Sellafield, and natural sources e.g. radon.
• monitoring radiation doses received by people occupationally or otherwise.
• supporting the National Emergency Plan for Nuclear Accidents providing information on matters relating to ionising radiation.
• carrying out research.

The Institute attaches major importance to the enforcement of safe practices in the many applications of ionising radiation in Ireland and the Institute's Regulatory Service licenses such activities e.g. the custody and use of radioisotopes and X-ray machines. All activities are kept under surveillance by the Institute and random inspections are carried out to ensure that licence conditions are being observed.

The RPII closely monitors the levels of radioactivity in the environment including the effects of discharges from Sellafield in the Irish Sea. The Institute's environmental monitoring programme is carried out on a national basis with the objective of assessing the risk to the Irish population arising frpm radioactive contamination. Radioactive contamination of the Irish marine environment due to Sellafield is detectable but at present levels does not constitute a significant hazard to the health of people in Ireland and people should have no concern about eating fish from the Irish Sea or using the beaches and swimming in the sea.

In the event of a nuclear accident the Institute would play a significant role in implementing the National Emergency Plan for Nuclear Accidents. Its function is central to the operation of the Plan, both in respect of evaluation of the hazard to the Irish population, and of advice to Government regarding countermeasures which it might be appropriate to take.

The Institute is also concerned about long-term exposure to high concentrations of radon gas in buildings, which can cause lung cancer The Institute's programme of work on radon is aimed at identifying houses where measures need to be taken to reduce the radon concentration and identifying areas of the country where high radon levels are more likely to occur Householders generally are advised to have the radon level in their houses measured.

The Institute also engages in research projects, many of which are multnational, in order to increase understanding of the behaviour of radioactivity in the environment. The Information Services provides information to the Government, State institutions and general public. Further details on the Institute may be obtained from the Information Service.