Evaluation of Radon Action Plans: Searching for a Systematic and Standardised Method.

Radon, a carcinogenic radioactive gas, is a leading cause of lung cancer according to the World Health Organization. European Member States are required to develop and implement National Radon Action Plans (RAPs) to address its dangerous health effects. However, assessing the effectiveness of these RAPs presents challenges for authorities. This study aims to explore the possibility of a systematic and standardised assessment method to evaluate the effectiveness of RAP strategies and its implementation. The method involved analysing the strategies of 27 EU Member States and the UK, conducting legal document analysis and group interviews with responsible authorities. Additionally, four regional workshops and one final European workshop were held. The research took place from March 2021 to May 2023. Findings indicate that evaluating RAP effectiveness is challenging due to limited existing common criteria or indicators. To address this, the study proposes guiding questions for each element required by the EU Directive, as well as additional questions related to education and training. This contribution benefits RAP owners and European regulatory authorities, supporting the development of effectiveness indicators for RAPs. By improving assessment methods, we can enhance the effectiveness of strategies in mitigating the risks associated with radon exposure.

A psycho-social-environmental lens on radon air pollutant: authorities', mitigation contractors', and residents' perceptions of barriers and facilitators to domestic radon mitigation.

Introduction: Radon is a major indoor air pollutant that poses a significant risk of lung cancer to those exposed in their homes. While mitigation of high radon levels in homes has been shown to be effective, home mitigation rates remain low. This study examines the barriers and facilitators to radon mitigation in homes from the perspectives of authorities responsible for radon risk management, the mitigation industry (contractors), and residents in four European countries (Belgium, Ireland, Slovenia, and the UK) with high radon risks and low mitigation rates. Methods: A multi-method approach was used to gather data from various stakeholders, including online surveys, content analysis of legal documents, group interviews, workshops, and focus groups. Results: Authorities, contractors, and residents identified various facilitators to radon mitigation, including legal requirements for mitigation, awareness campaigns, low mitigation costs, availability of financial support, accreditation of mitigation contractors, and a perception of radon as a health threat. However, barriers to mitigation were also identified, such as a lack of awareness, fragmented mitigation processes, and inadequate communication between stakeholders. Discussion: The study highlights the complexity of the radon mitigation process and suggests that interventions aimed at increasing mitigation rates should target stakeholders beyond just residents, such as constructors, health professionals, and policy makers. An integrated approach to radon mitigation, from policy to provision, is necessary to effectively lower levels of this indoor air pollutant.

Experience with NORM waste disposal in different European countries.

Industrial processes generate various quantities of waste that can be contaminated with radionuclides of natural origin (naturally occurring radioactive material ('NORM waste')). The efficient management of this waste is essential for any industries affected by NORM waste generation. To obtain an overview of current practices and approaches in Europe, the IRPA Task Group on NORM conducted a survey among task group members and other experts from European countries. The results revealed significant differences in methods and approaches in the European countries. In many countries, landfills are used to dispose of small- and medium-sized quantities of NORM waste with limited activity concentration. But our survey indicated that despite a uniform reference basis for national legislation in Europe, there are different framework conditions for the disposal of NORM waste in practice. In some countries, the disposal is hampered because the interface between the radiation protection system and the waste regime is not yet clearly regulated. Particular practical problems include the lack of acceptance of waste because of the 'radioactivity' stigma and only vague specifications by the legislators on acceptance obligations of the waste management sector.

The effect on the radon diffusion coefficient of long-term exposure of waterproof membranes to various degradation agents.

Waterproofing, usually made of bitumen or polymers with various additives, is used to protect buildings mainly against dampness, but also against radon transported from the soil beneath the building. The radon diffusion coefficient is a material property which is considered to be strongly influenced by the inner structure (chemical composition, crystallinity) of a measured sample. We have used this parameter together with measurements of mechanical properties (hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break, etc.) and FTIR spectroscopy has been used in order to describe the changes in material properties induced by long-term degradation. This paper summarizes the results of radon diffusion coefficient measurements of waterproof materials exposed to radon, soil bacteria, high temperature and combinations of these factors. We have discovered changes as high as 83 % have been discovered compared to virgin samples.

Radon diffusion coefficient measurement in waterproofings--a review of methods and an analysis of differences in results.

This paper summarizes information about 16 measuring methods for determining the radon diffusion coefficient of waterproofing materials. We have found that the differences in results for identical membranes, which can be as high as two orders of magnitude, can mainly be attributed to insufficient duration of the tests, insufficient radon concentration to which the samples are exposed, and the use of steady state calculation procedures for data measured under non-steady state conditions.

Basic principles for the development of a common standardised method for determining the radon diffusion coefficient in waterproofing materials.

Paper presents the principles for unified test methods for determining the radon diffusion coefficient in waterproof materials in order to increase the accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility of the results. We consider this very important, because an assessment of the radon diffusion coefficient is required by several national technical standards when waterproofing acts as a radon-proof membrane. The requirements for key parameters for one test method performed under non-stationary conditions and for two methods performed under stationary conditions are described in this paper.

1st International comparison measurement on assessing the diffusion coefficient of radon.

Radon diffusion coefficient is a material parameter which is usually used in the radon mitigation measures design. There are different approaches used for radon diffusion coefficient measurement and assessment. The International comparison measurement which was jointly organised by National Radiation Protection Institute and Faculty of Civil Engineering CTU Prague in 2009 and 2010 has registered 11 laboratories from all over the world. Three sets of samples of polyethylene damp-proof membranes were sent to these laboratories for measurement. Till today, the organisers received only five sets of results. The results showed a great variability among laboratories involved.

Radon programmes and health marketing.

Being aware of negative health effects of radon exposure, many countries aim for the reduction of the radon exposure of their population. The Czech radon programme was commenced >20 y ago. Since then experts have gathered a lot of knowledge, necessary legislation has been enacted, tens of thousands of inhabitants have been offered free measurement and subsidy for the mitigation. Despite the effort, the effectiveness of the radon programme seems to be poor. Newly built houses still exhibit elevated radon concentrations and the number of houses mitigated is very low. Is it possible to enhance the effectivity of radon programme while keeping it on a voluntary basis? One possible way is to employ health marketing that draws together traditional marketing theories and science-based strategies to prevention. The potential of using marketing principles in communication and delivery of radon information will be discussed.

Limited applicability of cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses for the optimization of radon remedial measures.

Ways of using different decision-aiding techniques for optimizing and evaluating radon remedial measures have been studied on a large set of data obtained from the remediation of 32 houses that had an original indoor radon level above 1000 Bq/m(3). Detailed information about radon concentrations before and after remediation, type of remedial measures and installation and operation costs were used as the input parameters for a comparison of costs and for determining the efficiencies, for a cost-benefit analysis and a cost-effectiveness analysis, in order to find out whether these criteria and techniques provide sufficient and relevant information for improving and optimizing remediation. Our study confirmed that the installation costs of remediation do not depend on the original indoor radon level, but on the technical state of the building. In addition, the study reveals that the efficiency of remediation does not depend on the installation costs. Cost-benefit analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis lead to the conclusion that remedial measures reducing the indoor radon concentration from values above 1000 Bq/m(3) are always acceptable and reasonable. On the other hand, these techniques can neither help the designer to choose the proper remedial measure nor provide information resulting in improved remediation.