Int . J . Environ . Res . Public Health 2022 , 19 , 3805
often not evidence‐based , theory‐based nor strategic [ 11 ]. The results of a systematic review of health communication campaigns in the field of radon found that , although not recommended , an informative tone of voice ( factual , scientific and numerical information ) in radon communication prevails . Other components , such as emotional or social components , are often not included . Furthermore , the focus of radon risk communication is mostly on intention and less on behaviour itself , and on testing , instead of mitigation . There is also a huge lack of evaluation of how effective the radon communication campaigns were , and if people really changed their behaviour after the campaigns ( Apers , Vandebosch , and Perko , upcoming ) ( Apers et al ., upcoming ).
Building Codes
Indoor radon levels are often incorrectly perceived to be natural . This is due , in part , to the way in which indoor radon levels are actually presented as natural in texts and on websites dealing with the radon problem . While radon itself is a naturally occurring radionuclide , the level of radon in any building is not natural , but is rather anthropogenic , as it is a consequence of the ways in which we site , design , construct and use a building . With present day building techniques in Europe , it is technically possible , and not difficult , to construct buildings in which the indoor radon levels would be below the existing reference levels . This is even the case in so‐called high radon prone areas . Because of this , the drafting and modification of building codes are excellent examples of where there are opportunities to exercise an increased degree of control over indoor radon levels , both in the construction of new buildings and in the restructuring of existing buildings .
In the case of future homes , while some national building codes do include radon protective measures as design and construction requirements , in the majority of such codes there is not a post‐construction inspection requirement to measure the radon level in the completed building [ 19,20 ]. In most countries where there is such a gap in the codes , such a requirement could , and should , be added to the building codes . Improvements in the codes may also be needed regarding the procedures used to verify the quality of the workmanship . It is important that the building codes contain a requirement that the quality of the installed radon protective measures should be inspected at the level of each individual house or building ., In addition , there should , ideally , be a requirement that the indoor radon level of the completed home or building has to be measured within a year of it being occupied . Where either of these suggested requirements are absent , such gaps in the building codes should be filled .
As an example of the potential influence of building codes on indoor radon levels , extracts from the recently approved Spanish technical building code are now presented . The European Directive EURATOM BSS 59 / 2013 states , in Article 103 , that “ member states shall ensure that appropriate measures are in place to prevent radon ingress into new buildings . These measures may include specific requirements in national building codes ” [ 10 ]. Spain published the modification of its technical building code in December 2019 . The new Spanish building code [ 20 ] includes the requirement of the EU BSS , and has a new section dedicated to radon protection in new and existing buildings .
These new Spanish regulations apply to new buildings and existing buildings , where there are changes in the structure , aiming to introduce new sections in the building to change the building type or to reform the building . In the last case , the document clearly requests that the rehabilitation work should be considered as an opportunity to increase the existing radon protection . The requirements for new buildings in Spain to adhere to the reference level of 300
Bq / m 3 depends on the zone of the country where the building is constructed . Accordingly , the Spanish territory is divided into two zones , zone 1 and zone 2 , and this classification covers more than 8000 municipalities . If a new building is designed for zone 1 , it must include a radon barrier whose characteristics are defined in the building code . Those buildings planned to be built in zone 2 should incorporate , in addition to the radon barrier , an extra radon protection system . This is similar to the radon protocols of the Building Regulations of Ireland 1997 [ 19 ].