Survey finds radon gas exceeds limits at five Isle of Man schools

A UK health body surveyed Manx schools for radon gas

Above-average levels of radon gas have been detected at five schools and a college on the Isle of Man.

Education Minister Julie Edge said the risk was "low" but "immediate" steps were being taken to limit exposure.

Testing found the substance exceeded standards at Kewaigue, St Thomas', St John's and Scoill Vallajeelt primary schools, and St Ninian's High school.

This was found in 14 rooms, including a classroom, staff room and caretaker's office as part of a wider survey.

Detectors were placed in about 500 ground floor and basement rooms to trace radon levels at educational facilities across the island.

Exposure to high levels of the radioactive gas, which can come from naturally occurring uranium in the grounds and from some building materials, can cause lung cancer.

Limit exposure

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which ran the survey, said the results were "similar to many other schools and workplaces" in the UK, and advised schools should "continue operating as normal".

Parents and staff have been told of the "minor exceedances", which also affected an area of University College Isle of Man, a government spokesman said.

He said about 97% of rooms surveyed for radon were "well within" legal limits.

The survey was carried out as part of the government's legal obligation to limit exposure to the hazardous substance found in buildings.

A qualified "radon expert" had been appointed to oversee "minor works" to the affected rooms, which will be surveyed again once this has taken place.

The island's director public health Hugo van Woerden said short-term exposure in schools "might not immediately pose significant health risks".

However, "repeated or prolonged exposure to high levels, over an extended period" could "potentially have adverse health effects", he added.

The UKHSA school survey is part of a wider radon study, with 700 properties due to be tested later this year to measure risk and bring the Isle of Man in line with health and safety measures in the UK.

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