The region where the LabExpoRad is located is characterized by the abundance of various types of granite. In some places, the predominance of certain uraniferous minerals, the existence of crevices and mines can, be responsible for the existence of fairly high levels of natural radioactivity, especially with regard to radon. The main motivation for studying the effects of population exposure to radon is that this gas, radioactive, odorless, colorless and tasteless, has been, in 1988, recognized by the World Health Organization as the second cause of death by lung cancer, after tobacco.  

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In legislative terms, the directive 2013/59/EURATOM establishes uniform basic safety standards for health protection of individuals subject to occupational exposure, population exposure and medical exposure against the dangers arising from ionizing radiations. In particular it is applicable to exposure of workers to radon within buildings, exposure to radiation from building materials and situations of prolonged exposure following an emergency or previous human activity. Besides that, there is a necessity of a national action plan to address the long-term risks posed by radon exposures. For the first time in Europe, public exposure to radon will be integral part of legal metrology.

The transposition of this Directive into national legislation was made through decree-law n.º 108/2018 of 3 of December. For the first time radon occupies a prominent place in national legislation and LabExpoRad meets the requirements necessary to fully meet the vast majority of the requirements contained therein.

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In view of this directive, the work plan we propose for the coming years consists of:

1. Creating a network of awareness / information / training / dissemination / monitoring and radon mapping in public and private buildings, active and non-active industrial areas and occupational health, namely in medical environments and in thermal buildings;

2. In the promotion of training actions and support for certification of professionals related to companies, with special focus on small and medium-sized businesses and public institutions (schools, municipalities, public buildings, etc.) with a view to the preparation of an action plan for the dissemination of good practices and the ricks of long term radon exposition. Mitigation after construction;

3. A digital mapping / online mapping: creation of a web system of georeferenced data for environmental radon: air, water and soil, in a pilot area;

4. Developing a communication strategy to raise public awareness and inform local decision-makers, employers and their collaborators to the risks of radon, through: 

• local seminars;

• dissemination in schools and hospitals;

• municipalities;

• coordination committee;

• divulgation in business associations;

• open days.

  5. In the provision of monitoring, measurement and proposal services for mitigation solutions to the surrounding community.

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