Radon Monitor Loan Scheme

Meath County Council Library Service is now participating in the Radon Monitor Loan Scheme, a Healthy Ireland at Your Library initiative supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

This scheme enables members of the public to borrow a digital radon monitor to check radon levels in their homes.

What is radon and why does it matter?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed from the decay of uranium in rocks and soil. It is invisible, tasteless, and odourless, and can only be detected using special equipment. When inhaled, radon can damage lung tissue and is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, contributing to approximately 350 lung cancer cases in Ireland each year. 

How does the scheme work?

Library users can borrow a digital radon monitor for 3 weeks, just like a book. The monitors are available from Athboy, Bettystown, Duleek, Enfield, Kells, Nobber, Ráth Chairn, Slane or Trim libraries.

The monitor provides a snapshot of radon levels in the home.

Monitors are portable, battery-operated, and easy to use.

Please note: This is not a replacement for the recommended three-month test, but it is a useful first step in identifying potential radon issues. 

Why is this important?

Radon can enter homes through cracks in floors, gaps around pipes, and other openings. It can accumulate indoors, especially in ground-floor rooms. The only way to know your radon level is to test your home. Long-term tests are recommended, but borrowing a monitor from your library is a quick and accessible way to start. 

Want more information?

Read the information leaflets on this page to find out more about the radon monitor, how it operates, and how you can borrow it from the library. 

Or speak to library staff in Athboy, Bettystown, Duleek, Enfield, Kells, Nobber, Ráth Chairn, Slane or Trim.

Further details about radon are available at www.radon.ie or by contacting the EPA at radon@epa.ie or freephone 1800 300 600.