A user’s guide to radon priority areas, examples from Ireland

  • Meabh B. Hughes Department of Geology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
  • Javier Elío Department of Planning, Aalborg University Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Quentin G. Crowley Department of Geology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
Keywords: Indoor-Radon, Radon maps, Radon mapping objectives, Spatial Resolution, Geogenic data.

Abstract

Exposure to radon over time has significant detrimental effects on human health. Approximately 226,000 annual radon-related deaths have been reported from 66 countries (1). Many countries have a radon action plan, in order to reduce the harmful effects of radon exposure on the general public. Maps are routinely used to assist with mitigation strategies and delineate areas of priority regulation. Standard regulations in the European Union include the requirement for workplaces to test and the requirement to have reduction methods in newly built homes. Such laws are assigned systematically to areas that are understood to have high values of indoor radon. This article demonstrates that the boundaries of radon priority areas may vary, depending on the data set and methods used. We propose a table and a decision matrix to assist in choosing the most appropriate visual aid according to the purpose for which the map is to be used. We conclude that no single radon map is suitable to fit all objectives, and some maps are more suitable than others depending on the purpose.

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Author Biography

Quentin G. Crowley , Department of Geology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

 

 

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Published
2022-03-04
How to Cite
Hughes M. B., Elío J., & Crowley Q. G. (2022). A user’s guide to radon priority areas, examples from Ireland. Journal of the European Radon Association, 3. https://doi.org/10.35815/radon.v3.7586
Section
Special issue - European Radon Week 2020