The Ministry of Health’s plan to protect people from radon – the silent killer in homes

Radon, an odorless and colorless radioactive gas, is the second leading cause of lung cancer, but remains a relatively unknown topic for many Romanians. Now, the Romanian authorities want to change this.

Although radon is an odorless and colorless radioactive gas that can only be detected with specific means, few people are aware of the danger to which we are exposed.

Currently, this radioactive gas is the second cause of lung cancer, after smoking. Specifically, one in five cancer cases is caused by radon.

“They are air pollutants that we can protect ourselves from, provided they are detected, I mean radon here.”, attracted the attention of Beatrice Mahler, the other day.

“Radon – is an odorless and colorless gas that is found in the environment, originating from the earth’s crust. It becomes harmful when it accumulates in the room where we live or work, being inhaled in increased quantity. A property of radon is that it persists in the airways and produces the release of radiation for a period of almost 4 days. Radon turns the person into a source of radiation and favors the appearance of lung cancer in adults and leukemia in children. So research is needed – that’s my direct message.”, explained the pulmonologist, manager of the Institute of Pneumophthisiology Marius Nasta.

Radon is defined as a natural radioactive gas that is continuously formed by the disintegration of uranium and thorium present in soil, rocks and water. It is not a hazard outdoors, but becomes dangerous when it accumulates indoors, increasing the risks of lung cancer through inhalation. Radon is responsible for about half of all human radiation exposure.

Smokers are 25 times more likely to develop lung cancer from radon exposure than non-smokers.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radon as a human carcinogen, along with other well-known agents such as tobacco smoke and asbestos.

Better late than never

Euratom Directive 59 imposes an obligation on member states, including Romania, to monitor and report radon levels, as well as to implement protective measures to reduce the population’s exposure to this dangerous gas.

However, although Romania is among the states with very high levels of radon in certain regions, the legislation has been delayed for many years. More precisely, the authorities in our country have delayed the implementation of monitoring and information measures regarding radon risks, starting with the transposition of European legislation and the launch of an information campaign.

Romania has implemented, since 2018, the National Action Plan for Indoor Radon (PNAR), which obliges the measurement of radon concentration in the air of buildings with a high degree of occupancy and the implementation of works for protection against this radioactive gas, 5 years after Directive 59 Euratom. However, the data obtained from these analyzes were never made public by the authorities.

Our country has legislation regarding this gas, and a package of regulations “which completes the Romanian Construction Code entered into force in October 2023 through publication in the Official Gazette”, previously said researcher Alexandra Cucoș, from the Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University (UBB) in Cluj-Napoca. According to these new regulations, radon measurements are required in all public buildings, including screening and control in high-risk counties where radon levels exceed the limit of 300 Bq/m³. This concentration is considered three times higher than the safe norm recommended by the WHO. Exposure to a concentration of 300 Bq/m3 of radon is the equivalent of 150 x-rays per year or 16 cigarettes smoked per day.

A few days ago, the Ministry of Health put into public debate a draft Government Decision for the approval of the Information, Education and Communication Strategy to raise public awareness and inform local decision-makers, employers and employees about the risks posed by radon. Practically, six years after the transposition of the European legislation.

How the authorities want to educate the population

Specifically, the objectives of the National Radon Communication Strategy are designed to raise awareness and promote action regarding the risks associated with radon exposure, according to documents published on the Ministry of Health website. These include:

1. Increasing awareness among the population and managers of public buildings about the risks of radon and ways of protection.

2. Information about existing radon legislation to encourage compliance and risk reduction.

3. Motivating employers and administrators of public buildings to conduct radon tests and implement preventive measures.

4. Involve homeowners in testing and reducing radon exposure.

5. Raise awareness among health and building professionals to educate and influence radon-related behaviors.

6. Integrating information about radon into educational programs to sensitize young people and professionals.

7. Promote collaboration between authorities, NGOs and the media to expand coverage of radon-related topics.

To address this radon risk, the authorities are proposing a national communication strategy to inform and educate the public, employers and local decision-makers about the dangers of radon. The ultimate goal of these initiatives is to reduce exposure to radon and protect public health, according to international standards. However, the implementation of these measures requires the adoption of the draft government decision and its publication in the Official Gazette.

“Breathe health, not radon!”

The national radon communication strategy includes specific messages tailored to various target groups, with the aim of motivating the population to protect their health and that of the community. Examples of messages:

1. For the general public: “Health Matters! Radon is a natural gas, but it can be a health risk. Test the radon level in your home to protect yourself and your family from lung cancer risks. Act now for a healthy future!/ “Protect the Future! “Through information, awareness and action, we can help protect our health and that of future generations. Reducing exposure to radon is an important step in this direction»“.
2. For families with children: “Children are the most precious treasure. Make sure they grow in a safe and healthy environment! Test the radon level in your home and take steps to ensure indoor air quality. Breathe health, not radon!“
3. For building owners: “Act now for your family’s health! Test the radon level in your home and take steps to reduce exposure. An investment in health with a minimum of effort!“
4. For directors of educational institutions: “Students and teachers deserve a healthy learning environment! Test the radon level in your home, school buildings and take steps to ensure indoor air quality. Invest in the health of the future!”
5. For smokers: “Radon and smoking – a dangerous combination! If you have smoked in the past or still smoke, the risk of lung cancer increases with exposure to high concentrations of radon. Test the radon level in your home and quit smoking to protect your health.”

The Ministry of Health emphasizes that the strategy will also have a positive economic impact, by reducing treatment costs: “In the long term, preventing diseases associated with radon exposure will significantly reduce public health costs and medical expenses related to the treatment of these conditions.”

Map of Romanian localities exposed to radon

“Romania ranks fourth in Europe in terms of radon levels, after the Czech Republic, Estonia and Austria. The soil is the main source of radon. Soil and architectural aspects, such as building foundations, are the main factors influencing the accumulation of radon in indoor air. The level of radon concentration that accumulates in the indoor air depends on the constructive characteristics of each building, the degree of sealing and the situation of the foundations, and if they have not been isolated, as in the case of schools, radon penetrates much more easily from the ground into the indoor air”, researcher Alexandra Cucoș, an expert in this field, previously explained.

The presence of radon in indoor air varies depending on geological factors, construction techniques and the types of ventilation used. The main source of radon comes from the soil beneath buildings, which can seep in through cracks, hardware and other gaps, and is more common in temperate and cold regions where buildings are kept at a slight negative pressure.

In 16 counties in Romania, radon levels exceed the permitted limits, with an average concentration almost three times higher than the national average. The affected counties include Alba, Arad, Bihor, Bistrița-Năsăud, Brașov, Caraș-Severin, Cluj, Covasna, Harghita, Hunedoara, Maramureș, Mureș, Sibiu, Sălaj, Satu Mare and Timiș. The Transylvania region and large cities, such as Bucharest, Iași, Timișoara and Constanța, are considered areas with a high risk of exposure. Western counties have higher exposure to radon due to the geology of the soil, which contributes to its increased radioactivity.

Children in danger

Researchers from Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB) draw attention to the high risks of radon exposure in public buildings in Romania, especially in schools and kindergartens, many of which were built without concrete slabs between 1960 and 2000.

Radon accumulates indoors, especially in crowded rooms, and can have negative effects on children’s health.

“Radon is a heavy gas with a density of about 10 times that of air, which attaches to aerosols and remains in the indoor air (at a distance of 1-1.5 m above the floor, exactly where children breathe) , being able to accumulate to dangerous values ​​for health“, says the researcher Alexandra Cucoș.

Modern, energy-efficiently insulated buildings also contribute to this problem by reducing air circulation, which exacerbates radon build-up and the associated risk of disease.

Reducing radon levels in homes is essential to protecting health, and this can be achieved through a number of practical measures. First, it is important to seal cracks in floors and walls to prevent gas infiltration. Also, frequent airing of the home helps to reduce the indoor radon concentration by diluting the gas with fresh air. The use of mechanical ventilation systems can improve air circulation and reduce radon build-up. In cases where radon levels exceed 400 Bq/m³, it is necessary to install a radon removal system, managed by a certified specialist, which can remove up to 99% of the gas. It is essential that the measurements are carried out by authorized laboratories to ensure the accuracy of the results and to avoid potential errors.