Donegal libraries launch radon monitor loan service to support public health

Donegal County Library Service is pleased to announce that digital radon monitors are now available to borrow free of charge from public libraries across the county.

This new initiative is delivered as part of the national Healthy Ireland at Your Library programme, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The scheme enables members of the public to borrow a digital radon monitor – in the same way as you borrow a book for three weeks - to check radon levels in their homes and take informed steps to protect their health.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate indoors. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Ireland after smoking and is estimated to cause approximately 350 cases of lung cancer each year nationally. Testing is the only way to know if radon levels in a home are elevated.

Donegal library members can take a monitor home for a three-week period, giving a useful indication of radon levels. While this does not replace the EPA’s recommended three-month radon test, it provides an accessible and practical first step for householders.

Welcoming the launch of the initiative in Donegal, Maureen Kerr, County Librarian with Donegal County Council, said: “Donegal Libraries continue to expand the role of our branches as trusted community hubs. Through Healthy Ireland at your Library, we are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities in practical and meaningful ways. Making radon monitors available to borrow empowers people to take a simple but important step in protecting their home and their family’s health.”

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If elevated levels of radon are detected by the monitor borrowed from the library, householders are encouraged to order a certified three-month radon test directly from the EPA via www.radon.ie

Radon monitors are available to borrow free of charge at all 13 Donegal library branches. Library membership is free, and testing is simple. Visit www.donegallibrary.ie today to check opening hours and reserve a monitor at your nearest branch.

Healthy Ireland at Your Library is a national programme delivered through all public library services and supports individuals and communities to access reliable health information, attend wellbeing events, and borrow curated health resources.

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Is mór ag Seirbhís Leabharlainne Chontae Dhún na nGall a fhógairt go bhfuil monatóirí radóin digiteacha le fáil ar iasacht anois ó leabharlanna poiblí ar fud an chontae is gan costas ar bith orthu.

Tá an tionscnamh nua seo á sheachadadh mar chuid den chlár náisiúnta Éire Shláintiúil i do Leabharlann, i gcomhpháirtíocht leis an Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil ​​(EPA).

Leis an scéim seo, is féidir le baill den phobal monatóir radóin digiteach a fháil ar iasacht – mar a fhaigheann duine leabhar ar iasacht ar feadh trí seachtaine – chun leibhéil radóin ina dtithe a sheiceáil agus céimeanna eolacha a ghlacadh lena gcuid sláinte a chosaint.

Is gás radaighníomhach nádúrtha é radón a thagann chun cinn taobh istigh agus ní taobh amuigh. Is é an dara cúis is mó atá le hailse scamhóg in Éirinn (tá caitheamh tobac ar an phríomhchúis) agus meastar go mbíonn thart ar 350 cás d’ailse scamhóg mar thoradh ar radón gach bliain, ar bhonn náisiúnta. Is é tástáil an t-aon bhealach le fáil amach má tá ardú ar leibhéil radóin i dteach ar bith.

Is féidir le baill de chuid leabharlann Dhún na nGall monatóir a thabhairt abhaile ar feadh tréimhse trí seachtaine, agus léargas úsáideach a fháil ar leibhéil radóin. Cé nach dtagann sé seo in áit na tástála radóin trí mhí atá molta ag an EPA, is céim chun tosaigh í atá inrochtana agus praiticiúil do theaghlaigh.

Chuir Maureen Kerr, Leabharlannaí Contae le Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall fáilte roimh sheoladh an tionscnaimh i nDún na nGall, dúirt sí: “Tá Leabharlanna Dhún na nGall ag leanúint de bheith ag leathnú ról ár mbrainsí mar mhoil phobail iontaofa. Trí Éire Shláintiúil i do Leabharlann, táimid tiomanta do thacú le sláinte agus folláine ár bpobal ar bhealaí praiticiúla agus fiúntacha. Leis na monatóirí radóin curtha ar fáil ar iasacht, tá sé ar chumas daoine céim shimplí ach thábhachtach a ghlacadh chun a dteach agus sláinte a dteaghlaigh a chosaint.”

Má aimsítear leibhéil arda radóin de réir an monatóir a fuarthas ar iasacht ón leabharlann, moltar do theaghlaigh tástáil radóin deimhnithe trí mhí a ordú ón EPA trí www.radon.ie.

Tá monatóirí radóin le fáil ar iasacht gan aon chostas ó na 13 brainse leabharlainne i nDún na nGall. Tá ballraíocht leabharlainne saor in aisce, agus tá an tástáil simplí. Tabhair cuairt ar www.donegallibrary.ie inniu chun uaireanta oscailte a sheiceáil agus monatóir a chur in áirithe ó do bhrainse áitiúil.

Is clár náisiúnta é Éire Shláintiúil i do Leabharlann a sheachadtar trí gach seirbhís leabharlainne poiblí agus a thacaíonn le daoine aonair agus pobail rochtain a fháil ar fhaisnéis sláinte iontaofa, freastal ar imeachtaí folláine, agus acmhainní sláinte faoi chúram a fháil ar iasacht.