EU-Project: Radon Prevention and Remediation (RADPAR)

The EU-project RADPAR (Radon Prevention and Remediation) aimed to assist in the reduction of the public health burden of lung cancers due to exposure to radon in EU Member States.

Project participants

The project (May 2009 – May 2012) was funded by the EU Directorate-General Health and Food Safety. It was coordinated by Prof. Bartzis from the University of Western Macedonia in Greece and included 10 partners from different European countries, among them the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) in Germany.

Approach

Within the project, the health burden to the general population from exposure to radon was assessed for 27 European countries. Radon prevention and remediation strategies that were currently in place have been reviewed and improved. Radon risk communication strategies and approaches for different population target groups have been developed. Measurement procedures for radon sources and control technologies have been standardized. The cost-effectiveness of existing and potential radon prevention and remediation strategies was assessed. The effectiveness of radon control strategies through the design and use of training courses for radon measurement, prevention, remediation and cost-effectiveness analysis was assessed. Potential conflicts between energy conservation in buildings and reduction in radon exposure was assessed.

Results and recommendations

Recommendations for the following topics were developed:

1. Radon mitigation strategies

   • Overall strategy
   • National action plan
   • Prevention measures
   • Reference Level for existing and future dwellings and other buildings
   • Surveys and radon concentration distribution
   • National radon database
   • Use of radon maps
   • Radon prone areas and radon-prone buildings
   • Type of regulations
   • Promoting tools to increase the number of remedial actions
2. Protocols for indoor radon concentration measurements
3. Improvement of radon risk communication
4. Assessment of potential conflicts between energy conservation in buildings and radon exposure reduction
5. Establishment of measurement protocols for radon control technologies
6. Design of training courses for radon measurement, -prevention and -remediation
7. Analysis of cost-effectiveness and health benefits of radon control strategies

The final scientific report and a booklet with the above mentioned recommendations can be downloaded from the website Radon Prevention and Remediation - RADPAR - European Commission.