National radon programmes and policies: the RADPAR recommendations

Abstract

Results from epidemiological studies on lung cancer and radon exposure in dwellings and mines led to a significant revision of recommendations and regulations of international organizations, such as WHO, IAEA, Nordic Countries, European Commission. Within the European project RADPAR, scientists from 18 institutions of 14 European countries worked together for three years (2009–2012). Among other reports, a comprehensive booklet of recommendations was produced with the aim that they should be useful both for countries with a well developed radon program and countries with little experience on radon issues. In this paper, the main RADPAR recommendations on radon programs and policies are described and discussed. These recommendations should be very useful in preparing a national action plan, required by the recent Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom.