TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluation of radon action plans
T2 - Searching for a systematic and standardised method
AU - Martell, Meritxell
AU - Perko, Tanja
AU - Navrátilová Rovenská, Kateřina
AU - Fojtíková, Ivana
AU - Geysmans, Robbe
N1 - Score=10
Funding Information:
This project has received funding from the EU-RAP study under contract ENER/2020/NUCL/SI2.837814 (“Review and evaluation of national radon action plans established in EU Member States according to the requirements in Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom—the BSS Directive – focussing on the practical implementation of the actions defined in these action plans”). Part of the analysis for this study has been supported by the Euratom research and training programme 2019–2020 RadoNorm under grant agreement No 900009.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 by the authors.
PY - 2023/12
Y1 - 2023/12
N2 - Radon, a carcinogenic radioactive gas, is a leading cause of lung cancer according to the World Health Organization. European Member States are required to develop and implement National Radon Action Plans (RAPs) to address its dangerous health effects. However, assessing the effectiveness of these RAPs presents challenges for authorities. This study aims to explore the possibility of a systematic and standardised assessment method to evaluate the effectiveness of RAP strategies and its implementation. The method involved analysing the strategies of 27 EU Member States and the UK, conducting legal document analysis and group interviews with responsible authorities. Additionally, four regional workshops and one final European workshop were held. The research took place from March 2021 to May 2023. Findings indicate that evaluating RAP effectiveness is challenging due to limited existing common criteria or indicators. To address this, the study proposes guiding questions for each element required by the EU Directive, as well as additional questions related to education and training. This contribution benefits RAP owners and European regulatory authorities, supporting the development of effectiveness indicators for RAPs. By improving assessment methods, we can enhance the effectiveness of strategies in mitigating the risks associated with radon exposure.
AB - Radon, a carcinogenic radioactive gas, is a leading cause of lung cancer according to the World Health Organization. European Member States are required to develop and implement National Radon Action Plans (RAPs) to address its dangerous health effects. However, assessing the effectiveness of these RAPs presents challenges for authorities. This study aims to explore the possibility of a systematic and standardised assessment method to evaluate the effectiveness of RAP strategies and its implementation. The method involved analysing the strategies of 27 EU Member States and the UK, conducting legal document analysis and group interviews with responsible authorities. Additionally, four regional workshops and one final European workshop were held. The research took place from March 2021 to May 2023. Findings indicate that evaluating RAP effectiveness is challenging due to limited existing common criteria or indicators. To address this, the study proposes guiding questions for each element required by the EU Directive, as well as additional questions related to education and training. This contribution benefits RAP owners and European regulatory authorities, supporting the development of effectiveness indicators for RAPs. By improving assessment methods, we can enhance the effectiveness of strategies in mitigating the risks associated with radon exposure.
KW - Assessment
KW - Indicators
KW - Radiation
KW - Radon
KW - Radon action plan
KW - Review
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85178930123&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/ijerph20237128
DO - 10.3390/ijerph20237128
M3 - Article
C2 - 38063559
AN - SCOPUS:85178930123
SN - 1661-7827
VL - 20
JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
IS - 23
M1 - 7128
ER -