Newry radon gas letters 'are scam'

Published Monday, 30 January 2012

Letters warning people in Newry that they must evacuate their homes next month for radon gas testing are part of a scam, according to the Health Minister.

Letters warning people in Newry that they must evacuate their homes next month f (© UTV)

Edwin Poots said the notices purport to contain his signature but were not issued by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

The letters suggest that it will be necessary for people in the Co Down town to vacate their homes in mid-February in order to facilitate testing for radon - a naturally occurring radioactive gas.

In a statement, the department says recipients should contact the police immediately.

A spokesperson said: "Neither the minister nor the department have issued any such correspondence. Residents receiving these letters should report them to the PSNI for further investigation."

Radon gas seeps from the ground into all buildings to some extent.

Levels are generally low in Northern Ireland, but are raised slightly in parts of Newry and Mourne and the Banbridge area.

Local police said they are investigating the letters.

A statement said: "Police in Newry are aware of letters sent to two households in the local area. The letters claim to be from the DHSSPS, who say they have not issued such letters.

"If you receive a letter of this nature please contact police immediately."

The DHSSPS added that it has also informed the NI Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Environmental Health Department of Newry and Mourne District Council.

Comments

2 Comments

Stephen Hunter in UK wrote (114 days ago):

Its hard to understand the objective of those that posted the scam letters, but as there appear to be so few maybe they are directed at the individual householder and not part of a general scam. The area listed is indeed a high radon reading one and the link between exposure to the gas and increased lung cancer rates is very well established however to corectly measure the levels in a property is a painless process that is carried out over a period of 3 months by the simple placement of a couple of passive detectors typically in the bedroom and livingroom. Detectors are available at modest cost from the'Health Protection Agency' or contractors like ourselves so its easy to self measure your property to get an correct reading. Levels vary widely so dont rely on a neighbours result to guess at your own and dont be scared to test as its straightforward and discreet to resolve with a recognised contractor. Google HPA or BRE for good independant adivce.

leanne flynn in Canada wrote (115 days ago):

Scary times. Canada had three radiation leaks at three different nuclear plants within the last two years. We still have electronic weapons in action and a radio terrorist group calling itself Family Radio, a doomsday california cult. Widespread testing of your air and water, food and drugs would be a very good idea based on our mass poisoning of 2009, which injured close to six hundred ontario workers. We have reports of gas terrorism, too, and no military intervention. We also have a petition against lack of defence action for electronic weapons abuses filed with our house of commons via a scarborough, ontario MP, Mr. John McKay. Maybe Ireland's terrorists are trying to make these issues known? Details are being purged from internet and blocked and buried. But information is out there. These things really happened. Our injured nuclear workers have zero public support and zero worker's compensation benefits. They have been harassed and reports of outright torture have been ignored, even among our forces! I would schedule some radon tests STAT, based on those letters.

UTV Live News – Latest stories, videos and pictures

Newry radon gas letters 'are scam'

Letters warning people in Newry that they must evacuate their homes next month for radon gas testing are part of a scam, according to the Health Minister.