Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

384 Chapter 14: Environment, Health and Wellbeing Figure 14.10  (a) A high-volume air sampler in the National Radiation Monitoring Network, and (b) a gamma spectroscopic measuring system in the upgraded National Radiation Monitoring Network (a) (b) The EPA’s National Radiation Monitoring Network constantly monitors radiation levels in air across Ireland. Between 2019 and 2023 the network was upgraded to bring the number of monitoring stations up to 26 (Figure 14.10). In the event of a nuclear emergency, data from the network will support decision-making on whether there is a need to implement public protective actions. Routine monitoring of levels of artificial radioactivity in air shows that the levels of artificial radionuclides are low and do not pose a significant risk to the health of the Irish population. The EPA also monitors samples of seawater, seaweed, sediment, fish and shellfish from fixed locations around the coast, in the Irish Sea and from fishing ports for radioactivity. While levels of artificial radioactivity in the Irish marine environment remain detectable, the environmental concentrations are lower than historical levels and do not have an impact on humans or the marine environment. The OSPAR Commission’s Fifth Periodic Evaluation (OSPAR, 2023) concluded that Contracting Parties have made significant progress towards fulfilling the aim of ensuring that concentrations in the environment are near background values for naturally occurring radioactive substances and close to zero for artificial radioactive substances. Electromagnetic fields. Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are generated by many services that are expected in a modern society. EMFs are generated whenever electricity is produced, distributed or used and are used to transmit information via mobile phones, media broadcasts and Wi-Fi. The EPA monitored radio frequency EMFs from mobile phones, media broadcasts and Wi-Fi at street level in 55 urban sites during 2021 and 2022 (Figure 14.11) (EPA, 2023c). The typical level found was 1 V/m, which is substantially below the lowest reference level (28 V/m) recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. According to WHO, no health effects have been identified for EMF exposure at levels below these guidelines set for members of the public. Further monitoring of EMF exposure from other technologies commenced in 2024.