PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Radon is a colourless, odourless and tasteless radioactive gas which comes from rocks and soils. Its concentration inside buildings depends mainly on geogenic characteristics, the type of construction and the use of the building. Radon enters a building through cracks in the floor and walls, through the joints between the floor and the wall and through poorly or non-insulated pipework. Other sources of radon, such as certain building materials and drinking water, are much less relevant.
Studies have highlighted the long-term health impact of radon exposure, including the increased risk of lung cancer. In recent years, international regulations have sought to limit exposure to radon. EU legislation includes Directive 2013/59/EURATOM, which establishes basic safety standards for protection against exposure to ionising radiation. For radon exposure, this Directive requires Member States to assign a national reference level for the annual average indoor radon concentration (up to 300 Bq/m3), promote actions to identify areas where the radon concentration in a significant number of buildings is expected to exceed the national reference level, and encourage the implementation of radon concentration reducing measures in buildings. As part of the strategy, Member States must ensure that information is made available on indoor radon exposure and the associated health risks, on the importance of performing radon measurements and on the technical means available for reducing existing radon concentrations. Additionally, the EU Directive 2013/59/EURATOM states that Member States must implement a Radon Action Plan to address long-term risks from radon exposure in housing, public buildings and workplaces.
OBJECTIVES
The LeaRn4LIFE project aims to design, develop and implement training programmes that provide technical qualifications for radon professionals, students, teachers, authorities and governmental bodies, medical professionals and communication professionals. It also aims to provide cost-effective solutions for reducing radon in houses and workplaces, while raising public awareness of the problem.
The project will help to the implementation of actions laid out in the European Directive 2013/59/EURATOM such as:
- ‘Member States shall ensure that local and national information is made available on indoor radon exposure and the associated health risks, on the importance of performing radon measurements and on the technical means available for reducing existing radon concentrations‘.
- ‘Member States shall promote action to identify dwellings, with radon concentrations (as an annual average) exceeding the reference level and encourage, where appropriate by technical or other means, radon concentrationreducing measures in these dwellings’ .
RESULTS
Expected results:
- Promotion of innovative approaches to radon in the construction sector.
- Improved governance through enhanced capacities of private actors, namely companies that works in radon mitigation.
- Increased involvement of civil society in the implementation of self-protection measures against radon, lead to an overall reduction in exposure.
- Improved indoor air quality in terms of radon levels.
- Creation of jobs linked to radon monitoring and control.
- Increased awareness of the risk of radon exposure among the public.
