Many people are unaware of the health risks that radon poses. A new survey has revealed that not much is known about the radioactive gas. The scientific mandate is clear.
Scientists consider that knowledge about the harmful effects of radioactive radon gas is dangerously low. So the risks in buildings in particular are not clear enough.
This is the Study result, which was carried out on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Radiation Protection (BfS). “After smoking, radon is one of the most common causes of lung cancer — which you can protect yourself from very well,” said Inge Paolini, president of BfS.
Radon increases the risk of lung cancer
According to the Federal Office in Salzgitter, Lower Saxony, radon can occur in every building and increase the risk of lung cancer for people who live or work there. Gas is found everywhere in Germany in varying amounts in the ground and can enter homes and thus into the air we breathe through leaks. According to radiation protection experts, very few thought to measure radon in their four walls.
Radon gas measurements are inexpensive and unproblematic, as the BfS explains on its website. The easiest way to measure radon concentration is with a so-called passive detector. These are small plastic containers that do not need electricity, but are only placed. Devices can be ordered from measurement laboratories, and then mailed.
Insufficient public awareness
Based on the new study’s data, awareness of radon is described as “completely superficial.” Of those who have heard of radon, only 24 percent correctly stated that radon gas can occur in the basements of buildings, the FBI announced. Therefore, fewer people in this group were aware that radon is present on ground floors (14 percent) and on upper floors (5 percent).
It is almost difficult to prove a relationship with one’s living or working condition, scholars conclude and call for a better dissemination of knowledge. “This is a special order for federal and state authorities to continue and expand their educational work on radon,” said BfS President Paulini. (dpa)
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