Integrating geology into Ireland’s radon map (lecture)

Associate Professor Quentin Crowley, Trinity College, Dublin

Radon is the main source of ionising radiation affecting the general population. Geology is the primary controlling factor for soil gas radon, which in turn influences indoor radon concentrations. Globally, exposure to indoor radon is the second highest cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoking. Integrating geogenic data into radon maps helps to improve our understanding of where radon is sourced and how it travels through the sub-surface. Integrating geology also helps to improve spatial resolution of radon maps and reduce uncertainties of predicted anomalies. This talk will explore how geology was used to refine Ireland’s radon map, as part of a national strategy to help to lower the radon-related lung cancer incidence.

Quentin is associate professor in geology and fellow of Trinity College Dublin. He is director of the Trinity Centre for the Environment, and academic lead of EIT Climate-KIC at the university. His research can be broadly described as environmental geoscience, with an emphasis on evolving earth systems, including how society interacts with the solid Earth.

This will be an in-person talk. It will be preceded by the society’s annual general meeting.