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Radon measurement and mitigation activity in Finland
T Valmari1, H Arvela2, H Reisbacka2
1Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), Laippatie 4, Helsinki FI-00881, Finland tuomas.valmari@stuk.fi.
Radiation Protection Dosimetry
|April 15, 2014
Summary
Radon prevention efforts in Finland are increasing, with new home radon piping and targeted campaigns effectively reducing high indoor radon levels. Over 116,000 homes have been measured, with significant success in mitigation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Building Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Radon prevention, measurement, and mitigation activities have seen a notable increase in Finland since the 2000s.
- Municipal authorities in high-radon areas increasingly mandate radon prevention measures, stimulating radon testing.
- Owners of new homes with pre-installed radon piping are proactive in testing and mitigating elevated radon levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the trends and effectiveness of radon prevention and mitigation strategies in Finland.
- To evaluate the impact of municipal policies and public awareness campaigns on radon testing rates.
- To determine the success rate of reducing indoor radon levels below the reference level.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of radon prevention, measurement, and mitigation data from Finnish residential buildings.
- Tracking the number of dwellings measured and the prevalence of high radon levels (exceeding 400 Bq m(-3)).
- Evaluating the effectiveness of targeted interventions like local campaigns and new home radon piping.
Main Results:
- Over 116,000 dwellings in low-rise buildings have undergone radon measurements.
- Approximately 15% of the 16,860 dwellings exceeding the 400 Bq m(-3) reference level successfully reduced their indoor radon.
- New homeowners with radon piping exhibit higher engagement in radon testing and mitigation.
Conclusions:
- Radon mitigation strategies, including new construction features and public outreach, are proving effective in Finland.
- Targeted campaigns and improved building practices contribute to lowering indoor radon concentrations.
- Continued efforts are essential to further reduce radon exposure in residential environments.
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