Conference Agenda

BACKGROUND

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which may be found in indoor environments such as homes, schools, and workplaces. It is one of the leading causes of lung cancer after smoking. The main sources of radon indoors are the soil and underlying rocks, which contain radon in different amounts depending on the geology.

Accumulation indoors depends on building characteristics, e.g., foundation type, airtightness of the building shell in contact with the ground, air change rate of the building. Cost-efficient methods exist for preventing elevated radon concentrations in new buildings and for reducing radon concentrations in existing buildings. Indoor radon exposure is considered as a major public health issue and the inclusion of building protection for new and existing buildings has become a routine measure. In many countries, mandatory requirements and recommendations are well developed. The presence of radon in indoor environments should be considered among other indoor air quality (IAQ) issues and reducing indoor radon concentration contribute to a better IAQ.

AIMS AND SCOPE

Organised by the European Radon Association (https://radoneurope.org/), this workshop provides the state-of-the-art about indoor radon concentration evaluation and building protection methods. Relations between indoor radon protection and the improvement of IAQ will be highlighted.

On this basis, the aims of the workshop are to raise awareness of the health issues associated with radon management in buildings and to identify future challenges to reduce indoor radon exposure in relation to IAQ management.

PRESENTATIONS

Introduction to IAQ and radon indoors

Per Nilsson CSTB, ERA

Corinne Mandin CSTB - ISIAQ

Measurement and assessment of radon indoors

José-Luis Gutiérrez Villanueva  ERA

Preventive and corrective actions in buildings

Bernard Collignan ERA

Round table discussion: Possibilities to raise awareness on radon and IAQ for the promotion of healthy buildings

All