Health risk - Radon: Radiation protectionists promote measurements
Scientists have produced a nationwide map to provide more information on the harmful effects of the radioactive gas radon - and are encouraging people to take measurements in their own homes. The overview by the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) shows the average radon concentration to which people are estimated to be exposed in their homes, the authority from Salzgitter in Lower Saxony announced on Tuesday. However, BfS President Inge Paulini said that effective action against radon can only be taken if the exact occurrence at home is known.
The problem is that radon cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, the radiation protection experts wrote in a press release. The gas is present in small quantities in every building. And: "Elevated radon levels pose a serious health risk, as this indoor pollutant is - after smoking - one of the most common causes of lung cancer."
According to new calculations by the BfS, the national average radon concentration is around 65 becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m3). The new map shows whether the average value in your own city or municipality is above or below this average value. Regional fluctuations range from less than 35 in western Lower Saxony to well over 150 in many low mountain ranges and mountainous regions.
According to forecasts, around 10.5 million people are exposed to a radon concentration of over 100 becquerels per cubic meter in their homes. In just under 2 million of these, radon concentrations even exceed the value of 300 becquerels per cubic meter. Occasionally, concentrations of more than 1000 becquerels per cubic meter are possible - but this is rare.
"The sometimes very low average values do not mean that elevated radon levels cannot occur in your own community," said Paulini. There is no threshold below which radon is definitely harmless, she said, and encouraged people to take their own measurements. Suitable measuring devices could be ordered from specialized laboratories and set up by yourself. At the end of the measurement period, the devices would be sent back to the laboratory, which would then report the results. According to the authority, the costs are between 30 and 50 euros.
Link to the map and further information
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- Inge Paulini, the President of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) based in Salzgitter, Lower Saxony, Germany, emphasizes the importance of personal measurements to accurately assess the risk of radon, a hazardous radioactive gas.
- The new radon map released by the BfS reveals that although the national average radon concentration is around 65 becquerels per cubic meter, certain areas in Germany, such as low mountain ranges and mountainous regions, may have significantly higher concentrations posing serious health risks.
- Health agencies in Germany advise that every individual should consider conducting personal radon measurements in their homes to mitigate health risks associated with radon exposure, a known contributor to lung cancer, second only to smoking.
- Concerned residents of Lower Saxony can obtain suitable radon measuring devices from specialized laboratories and conduct their own measurements, with costs ranging between 30 and 50 euros for analysis and reporting of results, as per prescribed guidelines established by the BfS.
Source: www.stern.de
