The European Radon Day will be marked this year in Romania through an event that brings all the decision-makers in the field to the same table, for the first time. It will also discuss the implementation of the legislation that provides for the measurement of radon levels in public buildings in the country.
Radon is the main environmental pollutant in the air in buildings. PHOTO: Shutterstock
Radon is the main carcinogenic environmental pollutant present in the air in buildings. It is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that originates from the decay of uranium, continuously generated from soil and building materials, and accumulates in closed spaces.
The European Radon Day, celebrated for a decade in Europe on November 7 – will be marked this year, in Romania, with an event that brings together, for the first time, all the authorities involved in the National Radon Action Program, representatives of academia, public health and construction specialists.
The event aims to bring to the attention of decision-makers, but also the general public, the health risks posed by exposure to this carcinogenic gas. Action plan to reduce radon exposure, inter-institutional collaboration and awareness, sustainable building practices will be discussed.
The event organized by Babeș-Bolyai University, through the Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering and the “Constantin Cosma” Radon Testing Laboratory, will take place on November 7, starting at 10:00 a.m., at the “Simone Veil” Hall, the Amphitheater of the Faculty of European Studies, Corp Central, Str. Umm. de Martonne no. 1, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca.
Among the guests are Cantemir Marian Ciurea-Ercău, Secretary of State, President, National Commission for the Control of Nuclear Activities (CNCAN); László BORBELY, State Councillor, Coordinator of the Department for Sustainable Development within the Government of Romania (DDD); Orsolya KOVER, Secretary of State Arch., Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration (MDLPA); Simona PÂRVU, Director National Institute of Public Health (INSP) TBC, Ministry of Education and Research (MEC) Simona Stănescu, CSI Dr., Representative of the Romanian Academy through the Institute for Quality of Life Research (ICCV), etc.
“Adevărul” discussed with the coordinator of the event organized by UBB, Alexandra Cucoș, CS I Dr. Eng. within the “Constantin Cosma” Radon Testing Laboratory (LiRaCC) about how the danger of radon is managed in Romania and what we need to know about it.
“Management of the radon hazard is still not effectively implemented”
The truth: What is radon?
Alexandra Cucuoș: Radon is the main indoor air pollutant, being the main cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, respectively the second cause among smokers, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies radon as a group 1 environmental carcinogen with clear evidence of its effects on human health.
Radon (Rn) is a naturally occurring, colorless and odorless radioactive gas that is continuously formed by the decay of uranium present in soil, rocks and water.
Outdoors, radon disperses quickly, but indoors it can accumulate to high concentrations, especially in basements, ground floors, and poorly ventilated buildings.
How does it get into buildings?
Radon enters the interior through cracks in the concrete slab, expansion joints, cable and pipe passages, or through the pores of building materials.
The main source is the soil beneath the building, but secondary contributions can also come from building materials or groundwater used.
The radon level varies considerably from one building to another, depending on: the type and tightness of the construction, the permeability of the soil, the ventilation of the spaces, the behavior of the occupants (ventilation)
How do we manage the danger of radon in Romania?
The management of the danger of radon was officially transposed into the national legislation by GD 526/2018 through the National Radon Action Plan, coordinated by CNCAN – the National Commission for the Control of Nuclear Activities within the Government.
At present, we have finalized the normative acts, the implementation of the legislative framework, the implementation of the technical regulations, the implementation of the radon communication strategy.
It is necessary to move from the norms and obligations approved by the authorities to the assumption of their enforcement actions, through information, promotion and popularization of the subject, first of all.
The management of the radon danger in Romania is still not implemented effectively.
2 important actions are needed: 1) completion of the currently existing radon Map of Romania to identify high-risk areas and prioritize actions, and 2) realization and implementation of the information and awareness campaign for the population and the authorities regarding radon.
“Measuring the concentration of radon in the air in buildings is a necessity for all public authorities”
What should an effective campaign to raise awareness of the population and authorities about radon consist of?
It is necessary to strengthen inter-institutional collaboration through concerted actions, which contribute to increasing the level of awareness among the population and decision-makers regarding the risks of exposure of the population to radon in the air inside buildings.
We consider it necessary to inform interested actors, decision-makers, the population of the obligations stipulated by the normative acts, but above all to communicate the public health risk associated with exposure to radon.
Necessary actions: measuring the concentration of radon in the air in buildings is a necessity and a legal obligation for all local and central public authorities in Romania; The law also provides that if the results show dangerous concentrations of radon, to remedy the situation; Implementation of radon monitoring programs in all types of buildings with a high degree of occupancy, awareness of the risk as well as the organization of information campaigns.
The application of some control, remedy and prevention measures, according to the laws in force, will lead to the improvement of the population's health in the long term and the reduction of the risk of lung cancer in Romania.
Considering that there are currently viable solutions to detect and reduce radon concentration that can be implemented on a large scale, we should not worry.
“Any building can have a radon problem”
What should every Romanian know about Radon?
The message for every citizen is to be aware that we have a natural risk factor, a radioactive gas present everywhere, which we need to measure and keep within limits so that it does not affect our health.
Being colorless and odorless, the only way to detect the presence and concentration of radon in the air we breathe is through measurements with specific equipment.
Radon is the main indoor air pollutant, being also the main cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, respectively the second cause of lung cancer among smokers.
Any building can have a radon problem. This means new or old construction, well insulated or well ventilated, with or without basements.
Radon exposure occurs indoors, where we spend most of our time, whether in our homes, offices, schools or other places with public access.
The recommendation for every Romanian citizen: the need to be informed, to take action to measure, control and reduce radon in the air in indoor spaces, at home and at work.
What can we do about it?
Considering the social relevance of the subject, it is necessary to be aware, to inform ourselves and to take measures to control and reduce radon in buildings.
How we can act to prevent and reduce the effects of radon on public health:
Let's be aware that there may be a risk of radon in buildings in Romania and that we can only know this risk accurately by taking measurements.
To inform and educate the population about public health risks and radon.
Let's take action!
